New data exposes a troubling rise in TikTok-related crimes targeting children in the West Midlands, prompting urgent warnings for parents and guardians to remain alert.
Between 2023 and 2025, West Midlands Police recorded 4,638 TikTok-linked incidents, with 274 victims under the age of 13. These cases encompass serious offences—including violence, sexual assault, and rape—demonstrating the severe risks faced by young users on the platform.
Ellie Lamey of JF Law, which obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request, emphasized the alarming scale of the issue. “Everyday platforms like TikTok are being exploited by predators to harm the most vulnerable,” she stated. “This transforms what should be a safe online environment into a dangerous space where children are targeted.”
READ MORE: Santander Offers Valuable Cashback and Savings Perks Amid Cost of Living Crisis
READ MORE: Birmingham Granddad, 94, Attacked and Robbed in Home Invasion
The data reveals that victims aged 13 to 17 numbered 813 during the same period, underscoring a persistent and growing threat to young people across the region.
Violence against the person accounted for 3,575 offences—77% of the total—with cases increasing each year and peaking in 2025 at 1,544 incidents. Sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault, also escalated sharply, rising from 33 cases in 2023 to 174 in 2025. Public order offences and weapons possession were also recorded, contributing to the overall climate of concern.
Regional breakdowns highlight similar trends: West Mercia Police logged 1,013 TikTok-related crimes, doubling from 259 in 2023 to 460 in 2025. Staffordshire Police saw incidents reach 224 by 2025, while Warwickshire reported 323 offences dominated by violent acts.
While TikTok was present in all incident reports, JF Law clarified that the app’s presence does not necessarily mean it was the direct cause, but rather part of the broader context.
These findings come amid discussions by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government about imposing stricter social media restrictions for under-16s to curb such dangers.
“Families must know that legal support is available to combat these abuses,” Lamey added. “No child should endure this in silence—we are committed to ensuring victims receive justice and protection.”
West Midlands Police and TikTok have been approached for comment.