Online dating

Websites and dating apps have changed the way that singles seek romance, and more people than ever are happily meeting new partners and finding love via the internet. Most service providers offer good advice to those who use their services, but there are some sensible safety precautions you should also consider.

Meeting and chatting with someone online and sharing intimate feelings and hopes can make you believe you know someone well. All of this can happen in a very compressed period of time, which can often foster a false sense of security before you meet in person.

Every year, hundreds of incidents are reported to police, by both men and women, where the first date hasn’t gone as hoped, or where the person you meet isn’t who you thought they would be.

We have also seen an increase in sexual assaults as a result of people meeting up after speaking on dating websites or apps, often at the victim's home.

Unfortunately we know that offenders can sometimes use dating sites and apps as a way to target new victims. Some platforms allow users to create anonymous accounts, or allow users to delete them without holding backup copies of that account, its interactions or conversations.