FOI 622/26

Request

Please could you provide:

1. For each calendar year from 2021 to 2025 (or most recent available), the total number of recorded crimes involving sexual offences or violence against the person where “Snapchat” is recorded in a structured field or otherwise readily retrievable without manual review.
2. For the same period, the number of such offences per year broken down by your standard Home Office offence group categories.

Response

Please see our revised response to 515/26 below.

South Wales Police do hold information in relation to all parts of this request.

Question 1

A key word search has been completed using our crime and incident recording system (NICHE RMS) for all crime occurrences reported between the dates specified with the Occurrence Type ‘Violence Against the Person’ or ‘Sexual Offences’ and where the MO (Modus Operandi) or Summary Field contained the keyword ‘snapchat’.

Question 2

Please see attached document, ‘Response Data 622_26’.

Please note that this data has been gathered by searching our records management system for offences containing the keyword ‘snapchat’ in the relevant time period. The results retrieved are dependent on how the information has been entered onto the system. As such, the information provided should not be considered statistically accurate and/or definitive and therefore, care should be taken when using this data for any further statistical, analytical or evaluative purposes.

The data has been dip sampled to establish the context in which Snapchat is involved in the incidents. Of the 10 dip sampled, Snapchat was involved as follows:

1. Allegation of harassment from ex-partner using social media, including Snapchat
2. Allegation that an indecent image was uploaded onto Snapchat
3. Allegation of coercive and controlling behaviour where Snapchat was used
4. Allegation that an indecent image was uploaded onto Snapchat
5. Allegation of insulting / abusive post placed on Snapcha
6. Allegation of threats of violence uploaded onto Snapchat
7. Allegation that fake Snapchat account was created to use in stalking/harassment offendin
8. Allegation that an indecent image was uploaded onto Snapchat
9. Allegation that abusive messages were being received via Snapchat
10. Allegation of threatening and abusive messages being posted via Snapchat

     

     

    South Wales Police has considerable expertise in the investigation of online criminality. The force employs Digital Media Investigators who are trained to ensure such investigations are carried out efficiently and effectively and also has a dedicated Digital Forensic and Cybercrime Unit to support such investigations.