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11
Jun
North Yorkshire Police reveals which dating apps it investigates most
A number of dating apps were contacted by North Yorkshire Police as part of criminal investigations, new data has shown.
A freedom of information request to the force sought the number of requests made to dating apps or websites – such as Tinder, Hinge and Grindr – in relation to criminal investigations between 2023 and 2024.
Police provided the number of requests by platform and the nature of the investigation between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024.
One adult site, called Fabswingers.com, was contacted by North Yorkshire Police more than any other platform.
The police contacted Fabswingers once in 2023, which related to sending letters to cause someone distress or anxiety.
The force approached the site six times in 2024 - five of which concerned violence against another person. Officers also contacted the site once about unauthorised access to computer material that same year.
Two requests were made to a site called Fabguys.com in 2023, both of which related to blackmail investigations.
Officers made one request to Tinder in 2023 in relation to sexual offences.
It also contacted Grindr – a dating platform for members of the LGBTQ+ community – as part of an attempted murder investigation in 2024.
Police made three requests about fraud investigations to OurTime - a dating site for over 50s – and one request to Hinge in relation to a blackmail investigation that year.
Officers also contacted Badoo as part of a harassment investigation in 2024.
You can find the full breakdown of requests below.
The data.
Online safety
The Stray Ferret approached North Yorkshire Police about the data.
We asked the force if it wanted to provide a comment about staying safe on online dating platforms.
North Yorkshire Police did not provide an official statement but directed readers to its online safety page. It also urged people to report online crimes by calling 999 or via the police website.
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