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Some police still dismissive of online abuse, says watchdog Some police still dismissive of online abuse, says watchdog
(35 minutes later)
Some police are dismissive of harassment on social media, with one officer even dismissing it as “just kids on Facebook”, according to the police watchdog.Some police are dismissive of harassment on social media, with one officer even dismissing it as “just kids on Facebook”, according to the police watchdog.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), which released a wide-ranging report on digital crime on Tuesday, said the attitude was indefensible. Nevertheless, it said it found that some officers failed to understand the vulnerability of victims.HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), which released a wide-ranging report on digital crime on Tuesday, said the attitude was indefensible. Nevertheless, it said it found that some officers failed to understand the vulnerability of victims.
“[W]hat do they [the victim] expect us to do about it?” one officer reportedly told the HMIC, while another said: “I do not use social media; how am I supposed to investigate it?” “[W]hat do they [the victim] expect us to do about it?” one officer reportedly told HMIC, while another said: “I do not use social media; how am I supposed to investigate it?”
And, with regard to an incident of domestic abuse, HMIC said it was told by an officer: “[H]e will not carry out the threat to stab her; otherwise he would not have posted the threat online.”And, with regard to an incident of domestic abuse, HMIC said it was told by an officer: “[H]e will not carry out the threat to stab her; otherwise he would not have posted the threat online.”
In another case, a stalking victim reported to HMIC that police had told her to change her phone number to stop harassing text messages. “But why should I?” the woman said. “It’s my phone.In another case, a stalking victim reported to HMIC that police had told her to change her phone number to stop harassing text messages. “But why should I?” the woman said. “It’s my phone.
“In the end, I worked out how to make sure all messages coming from his number went into a special folder so I wouldn’t see them.”“In the end, I worked out how to make sure all messages coming from his number went into a special folder so I wouldn’t see them.”
In its report, HMIC said some of the comments it heard from officers demonstrated a “worrying lack of understanding both of the threat and risk to the victim and, as a consequence, a failure positively to support them”.In its report, HMIC said some of the comments it heard from officers demonstrated a “worrying lack of understanding both of the threat and risk to the victim and, as a consequence, a failure positively to support them”.
While it picked out cases of bad practice, it did not find a uniform approach from officers. The HMIC said interviews with victims had led it to believe that some police officers were also able to offer reassurance. That, it said, was of paramount importance to many victims, who felt embarrassed and isolated.While it picked out cases of bad practice, it did not find a uniform approach from officers. The HMIC said interviews with victims had led it to believe that some police officers were also able to offer reassurance. That, it said, was of paramount importance to many victims, who felt embarrassed and isolated.
The issue of online abuse has emerged alongside the increase in popularity of social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Figures show convictions for crimes under a law to prosecute internet “trolls” have increased eight-fold in a decade.The issue of online abuse has emerged alongside the increase in popularity of social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Figures show convictions for crimes under a law to prosecute internet “trolls” have increased eight-fold in a decade.
Last year, Labour MP Stella Creasy spoke of the “misery” caused after she was targeted on Twitter, while other victims have included campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez and Chloe Madeley - daughter of TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. Last year, Labour MP Stella Creasy spoke of the “misery” caused after she was targeted on Twitter, while other victims have included campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez and Chloe Madeley – daughter of TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
“The scale of cybercrime in the UK continues to grow and law enforcement must evolve to meet the threats posed by digital crime,” said Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh, of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). “The scale of cybercrime in the UK continues to grow and law enforcement must evolve to meet the threats posed by digital crime,” said Stephen Kavanagh, chief constable, of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
He added that resources would be allocated for digital investigation, including combatting child abusers.He added that resources would be allocated for digital investigation, including combatting child abusers.
Lucy Hastings, director of the charity Victim Support, said: “The failure of some police forces to recognise the seriousness of online crime and the vulnerability of victims is of serious concern.Lucy Hastings, director of the charity Victim Support, said: “The failure of some police forces to recognise the seriousness of online crime and the vulnerability of victims is of serious concern.
“Publicity about digital crime often focuses on financial loss and, distressing though this is, it is critical to also recognise the many hundreds of thousands of victims who suffer blackmail, anti-social behaviour and even threat to life. Victims of digital crime can be left feeling exposed, fearful and helpless.“Publicity about digital crime often focuses on financial loss and, distressing though this is, it is critical to also recognise the many hundreds of thousands of victims who suffer blackmail, anti-social behaviour and even threat to life. Victims of digital crime can be left feeling exposed, fearful and helpless.
“We know that digital crime often goes unreported – because victims are too embarrassed to come forward, or are afraid of ridicule.”“We know that digital crime often goes unreported – because victims are too embarrassed to come forward, or are afraid of ridicule.”
HMIC, which spoke to eight victims of cyber offences such as romance fraud, hacking and stalking, said it recognised that the sample was not large enough to draw “statistically valid conclusions”. But it said it considered the witnesses’ experiences to be “sufficient to identify those areas of police work that need attention”.HMIC, which spoke to eight victims of cyber offences such as romance fraud, hacking and stalking, said it recognised that the sample was not large enough to draw “statistically valid conclusions”. But it said it considered the witnesses’ experiences to be “sufficient to identify those areas of police work that need attention”.