Housing Solicitors

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Alison Saunders has warned that rapists and paedophiles are using social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to target their victims.

The Daily Mail reports that Ms Saunders said vulnerable people could be targeted and groomed by sex offenders preying on victims on social media sites, before they “pounce”.

Criminals can use personal information on social media to build up a profile of their victim and befriend them – often pretending to share the same interests.

The rapist or paedophile then lures their victims – usually women and children – into being abused or even to their deaths.

Ms Saunders said that some men even pose as women to get close to their victims – a con trick known as “‘catfishing”. She is also warning parents to “keep a close eye” on what their children are doing online.

“People put up lots of details on Facebook and other social media, which they can look at and use to target people because they will then know what their interests are,” Ms Saunders said.

“It helps with grooming because they have got a hook and a way to get into it.”

DPP officials say that in almost every category of sex crime, “the common thrust is that, anecdotally, offending is being committed more and more over the Internet”.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge, including charges relating to sexual offences such as rape, sexual assault, child sexual exploitation, child abuse, grooming, prostitution, revenge porn or making, distributing or downloading indecent images.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station within 45 minutes for interview under caution.

For expert legal advice on all criminal charges, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.