Police Looking to Help Support Victims of Online Abuse

We’ve all been online on those late nights, reading our favourite news or finding out the most up to date information about your favourite TV show when someone just doesn’t seem to have any manners. They can do anything from sending a single message to spamming your accounts with hateful responses and comments over a period of months. Now police in London are looking to help fight and support those who are either a victim of or responsible for online abuse.

The new pilot is a two-year scheme that is set to cost around £1.7 million. The pilot will pay for a new London-based hub who will include a team of five officers. The team is more of a mid-way support team, identifying the sources of online abuse and then redirecting the information to the appropriate police force.

Alongside the team of officers, a group of volunteers will also help the new unit to achieve their goal. The team will also be responsible for helping training officers and groups in the constant challenge of identifying, reporting and challenging hate crime.

With social media and online groups offering both opportunities for support but also hate crimes, the police are often one step behind the online community. Hopefully, this new scheme will allow the police to catch up and help those who would otherwise go without support.