A recent true-crime documentary series ‘TikTok: Murder Gone Viral’ has sparked public debate about crimes linked to the social media platform.
We at Legal Expert have seen an influx of recent enquiries associated with criminal offences connected with TikTok.
Often insidious in nature, the crimes range from harassment, stalking and theft to sexual grooming and sexual exploitation of children.
What’s more, the anonymity that social media can facilitate often makes the crimes very difficult to solve.
Legal Expert Solicitor, Jane Davies said: “Some of the offences recorded by police forces linked to TikTok are extremely disturbing and worrying. What’s more worrying, is that lack of evidence preventing further police action seems to be extremely common.”
To gain a true understanding of the prevalence of crime associated with TikTok, we set out to investigate the issue.
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How We Conducted Our Research Into TikTok Criminal Offences
We sent out Freedom of Information Requests to all 43 police forces in England and Wales.
As there is no specific criminal offence pertaining to the platform, we asked how many offences/alleged offences have police forces logged where ‘TikTok’ was recorded as being an element in the offence in the last three years (Between April 6-April 5 2021-2024).
We also asked for the nature of offences and what police action was taken for alleged crimes in the past year (2023/24).
Findings show a stark increase in the number of such offences year on year and revealed harassment, stalking and sexual offences to be among the most prevalent types of crimes linking to the platform.
What’s more, across police forces in England and Wales, ‘evidential difficulties’ are most commonly cited for preventing any further police action.
Legal Expert Solicitor, Jane Davies added: “It is important that victims know there will be consequences if they are subjected to abuse online or in person – in any capacity.
“Reaching out for legal advice can be a good way to get the ball rolling and make sure perpetrators are held to account.”
See the results for your local police force below:
Statistics on TikTok Criminal Offences By Police Forces in England and Wales
National Outlook – England and Wales
Police forces in England and Wales have probed more than 14,000 crimes linked to social media site, TikTok in the last three years with figures rising by 70% since 2021.
Of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, 39 responded to the Freedom of Information Request within the deadline.
Six forces refused the request for reasons including, the data was not easily retrievable and/or could be accessed within the scope of the FOIAct – leaving 33 full responses.
Of those, the total results are as follows:
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 3,423
2022/23: 4,952
2023/24: 5,736
Total: 14,003
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 124
2022/23: 175
2023/24: 214
Total: 513
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and Harassment | 108
- Violence Without Injury | 19
- Other Theft | 14
- Other Sexual Offences | 13
- Violence With Injury | 13
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim does not support police action | 55
- Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim supports police action | 44
- Investigation complete – no suspect identified | 44
- Evidential difficulties victim based – suspect not identified | 18
- Charge/Summons | 12
Cheshire Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 81
2022/23: 81
2023/24: 74
Total: 236
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 27
- Malicious communications | 17
- Stalking | 11
- Blackmail| 4
- Assault without injury | 3
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Named Suspect Identified. Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 18
- Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 14
- Other Agency Takes Primacy | 13
- Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 11
- Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 6
- Charge/Summons | 4
Cleveland Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 72
2022/23: 98
2023/24: 107
Total: 277
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 32
- Malicious Communications | 12
- Stalking | 11
- Other Offences Against The State And Public Order | 10
- Obscene Publications, etc. and Protected Sexual Material | 10
Offences recorded in 2023/24 include
- Investigation complete no suspect identified | 36
- Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 33
- Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 8
- Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 7
- Charged | 6
Cumbria Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 33
2022/23: 39
2023/24: 42
Total: 114
Increase of 27%
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and Harassment | 22
- Obsence Publications | 7
- Public Fear, Alarm or Distress | 6
- Other Sexual Offences | 4
- Other Offences Against The State Or Public Order| 2
Offences recorded in 2023/24 include
- Named Suspect identified: victim supports police action but evidential difficulties prevent further action | 8
- Named Suspect identified: evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim does not support (or has withdrawn support from) police action | 6
- Community resolution | 6
- Investigation Complete: No suspect identified | 5
- Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 4
Derbyshire Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 50
2022/23: 58
2023/24: 80
Total: 188 (60% Increase)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Malicious Communications | 27
- Harassment | 21
- Stalking | 9
- Sexual Grooming| 7
- Obscene Publications | 3
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation complete no suspect identified| 28
- Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties| 15
- Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified| 11
- Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 5
- Community resolution | 3
Devon & Cornwall Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 1
2022/23: 34
2023/24: 143
Total: 178
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and Harassment | 103
- Other Sexual Offences | 9
- Other Theft | 8
- Violence Without Injury | 6
- Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 5
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation Complete: No Suspect – Case Closed| 35
- Suspect Identified – Evidential Difficulties| 28
- Filed| 22
- Victim no Support | 13
- Under investigation | 7
Dorset Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 14
2022/23: 16
2023/24: 16
Total: 46
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 6
- Malicious Communications | 5
- Obsence Publications | 3
- Blackmail | 1
- Stalking | 1
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation complete no suspect identified| 3
- Other body/agency has investigation primacy| 3
- Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties| 3
- Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 2
- Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 2
Durham Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 111
2022/23: 143
2023/24: 120
Total: 374
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 37
- Malicious Communications | 35
- Stalking | 26
- Other Offences (Against The State And Public Order) | 5
- Sexual Activity Involving A Child Under 16 | 3
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Named Suspect Identified – Evidential Difficulties: Victim Supportive | 39
- Investigation Complete – No Suspect Identified | 24
- Named Suspect Identified – Evidential Difficulties: Victim NOT Supportive| 22
- Named Suspect Identified – Evidential Difficulties: Victim NOT Supportive | 8
- Named Suspect NOT identified – Evidential Difficulties: Victim Declines or Unable to Support | 5
Dyfed-Powys Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 22
2022/23: 42
2023/24: 42
Total: 106
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Engage in sexual communication with a child | 19
- Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety | 9
- Stalking | 2
- Pursue a course of conduct in breach of S1 (1) which amounts to stalking | 2
- Engage in sexual communication with a child | 1
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 13
- Investigation complete no suspect identified | 7
- Cancelled/transferred | 6
- Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 5
- Other body/agency has investigation primacy | 3
Essex Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 241
2022/23: 243
2023/24: 148
Total: 632
Offences recorded in 2023/24 include
- Causing or Inciting the sexual exploitation of a child (aged 13-17)
- Harassment – Stalking involving serious alarm/distress
- Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity
- Kidnapping – False imprisonment
- Threats to kill.
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 32
- Named Suspect Identified. Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 28
- Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action| 28
- Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 17
- Diversionary, educational or intervention activity undertaken | 15
Gloucestershire Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 34
2022/23: 71
2023/24: 83
Total: 188 (Increase of 144% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 18
- Stalking | 14
- Malicious Communications | 13
- Obscene publications | 6
- Blackmail | 4
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation complete: no suspect identified | 22
- Evidential difficulties: suspect identified; victim supports action | 20
- Evidential difficulties: suspect identified; victim does not support further action | 13
- Evidential difficulties: suspect not identified; victim does not support further action | 6
- Action undertaken by another body/agency | 3
Greater Manchester Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 334
2022/23: 509
2023/24: 644
Total: 1487 (Increase of 93% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and Harassment | 543
- Public order offences | 29
- All other theft offences | 21
- Miscellaneous crimes against society | 18
- Other sexual offences | 13
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 37
2022/23: 63
2023/24: 88
Total: 188 (Increase of 138%)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 27
- Malicious Communications | 27
- Stalking | 14
- Blackmail | 8
- Obscene publications | 5
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Named Suspect – Victim Unsupportive | 19
- Named Suspect – Evidential Difficulties | 17
- No Suspect Identified | 16
- Suspect not identified – Victim Unsupportive | 15
- Unfinalised Investigation | 15
Humberside Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
Total: 403
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 49
- Malicious Communications | 24
- Stalking | 12
- State or Public Order | 3
- Assault With Injury | 2
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 19
- Investigation complete no suspect identified | 13
- Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 9
- Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 7
Lancashire Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 71
2022/23: 66
2023/24: 98
Total: 235 (Increase of 48% between 2022/23 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety, | 82
- Harassment – without violence | 37
- Take or to make or to distribute indecent photographs or pseudo- photographs, of children | 32
- Pursue course of conduct in breach of Sec (1) which amounts to stalking | 21
- Assault without Injury – Common assault and battery | 8
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 53
- Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 47
- Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties
Prevent Further Action | 34 - No Further Action | 32
- Community Resolution | 12
Leicestershire Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 107
2022/23: 155
2023/24: 164
Total: 426 (Increase of 53% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Malicious Communications | 34
- Harassment without violence | 31
- Harassment (Put in fear of violence) | 11
- Stalking | 11
- Breach a non-molestation order | 6
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation complete no suspect identified | 48
- Named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 29
- Offender Charged or Court Summons | 11
- Victim declines to support action (Named
suspect) | 10 - Crime under investigation | 8
Lincolnshire Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 54
2022/23: 68
2023/24: 76
Total: 198 (Increase of 41%)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and Harassment | 53
- Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 6
- Other Sexual Offences | 6
- Violence Without Injury | 5
- Public Disorder | 3
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation complete no suspect identified | 29
- Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 22
- Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 10
- Unresolved | 8
- Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 3
Merseyside Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 101
2022/23: 116
2023/24: 139
Total: 356 (Increase of 38% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and Harassment | 117
- Other sexual offences | 7
- Miscellaneous crimes against society | 6
- Public order | 4
- Violence without injury | 2
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation Complete No Suspect Identified | 46
- Victim Declines/Withdraws Support – Named Suspect Identified | 28
- Police – Named Suspect, Victim Supports But Evidential Difficulties | 24
- Victim Declines/Unable to Support Action To Identify Offender | 19
- Charged | 3
Norfolk Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 135
2022/23: 139
2023/24: 121
Total: 395
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment – without violence (course of conduct) | 37
- Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety | 15
- Take or to make or to distribute indecent photographs or pseudo- photographs, of children| 9
- Stalking – Pursue course of conduct in breach of Sec 1 (1) which amounts to stalking | 7
- Blackmail (Indictable)| 6
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action | 35
- Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 28
- Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified| 21
- Under Investigation | 7
- Community Resolution | 6
North Wales Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 26
2022/23: 44
2023/24: 34
Total: 356 (Increase of 69% between 2021/22 and 2022/23)
North Yorkshire Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 45
2022/23: 85
2023/24: 99
Total: 229 (Increase of 120% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Violence against the person | 59
- Theft: all other theft | 17
- Miscellaneous crimes against society | 10
- Fraud | 6
- Public order offences | 3
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim does not support police action | 23
- Investigation complete ‐ no suspect identified | 17
- Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim supports police action| 8
- Evidential difficulties victim based – suspect not identified | 7
- Charged/Summonsed | 3
Northamptonshire Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 65
2022/23: 81
2023/24: 106
Total: 252 (Increase of 63% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Violence without injury | 80
- Miscellaneous crimes against society | 8
- All other theft offences | 6
- Violence with injury | 4
- Public disorder | 3
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 33
- Investigation complete no suspect identified | 24
- Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties| 19
- Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 10
- Other body/agency has investigation primacy | 5
Northumbria Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 300
2022/23: 527
2023/24: 610
Total: 1437 (Increase of 103% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 465
- Miscellaneous crimes| 65
- Public disorder| 18
- Other violence | 8
- Criminal damage – other | 7
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation Complete – No Suspect Identified | 193
- Victim Does Not Support Police Action | 167
- Evidential Difficulties| 126
- Ongoing | 41
- Charge/Summons | 23
Nottinghamshire Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 79
2022/23: 120
2023/24: 176
Total: 375 (Increase of 123% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and harassment
- Miscellaneous crimes against society
- Public disorder
- Violence without injury
- All other theft offences
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation complete no suspect identified | 65
- Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 40
- Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 30
- Unresolved | 9
- Charged | 5
South Yorkshire Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 111
2022/23: 185
2023/24: 199
Total: 495 (Increase of 79% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and Harassment | 147
- Miscellaneous crimes against society| 19
- Other sexual offences| 11
- Public fear, alarm or distress | 10
- Other theft | 3
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 80
- Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 65
- Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further | 22
- Further investigation that could provide sufficient evidence to support formal action is not in public interest | 12
- Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 11
Staffordshire Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
Total: 295
Suffolk Constabulary
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 68
2022/23: 84
2023/24: 80
Total: 232
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment – without violence (course of conduct)| 28
- Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety| 21
- Blackmail (Indictable) | 6
- Take or to make or to distribute indecent photographs or pseudo- photographs, of children | 6
- Assault without Injury – Common assault and battery | 4
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 28
- Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 18
- Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 15
- Other body/agency has investigation primacy| 6
- Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 5
Sussex Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 58
2022/23: 99
2023/24: 120
Total: 277
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Stalking and Harassment| 95
- Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 8
- Other Sexual Offences | 4
- Other Theft | 4
- Public Order | 4
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation complete no suspect identified | 49
- Named suspect identified – victim does not support | 19
- Evidential difficulties – named suspect identified | 17
- Diversionary, educational or intervention activity | 4
- Community Resolution | 3
Warwickshire Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 48
2022/23: 101
2023/24: 105
Total: 254
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Violence Against The Person | 67
- Sexual Offences | 13
- Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 11
- Theft | 7
- Public Order Offences | 4
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 33
- Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 20
- Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 15
- Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 15
- Filed or under investigation | 10
West Mercia Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 224
2022/23: 308
2023/24: 233
Total: 765 (Increase of 38% between 2021/22 and 2022/23)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Violence Against The Person | 181
- Sexual Offences | 19
- Theft | 11
- Public Order Offences | 9
- Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 7
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 65
- Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 61
- Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 61
- Ongoing Investigation | 15
- Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 11
West Yorkshire Police
Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded
2021/22: 548
2022/23: 873
2023/24: 795
Total: 1437 (Increase of 59% between 2021/22 and 2022/23)
Most common nature of offences 2023/24
- Harassment | 465
- Miscellaneous crimes| 65
- Public disorder| 18
- Other violence | 8
- Criminal damage – other | 7
Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences
- Investigation complete: No suspect ID | 687
- Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID | 625
- Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID (Victim based) | 553
- Ongoing Investigation | 130
- Further investigation not in public interest | 45