Birmingham has been identified as the UK’s hotspot for crimes linked to TikTok, with predators increasingly using the platform to target children. Recent data obtained through a Freedom of Information request reveals that West Midlands Police recorded an alarming 2,208 TikTok-related crimes between 2023 and 2025 alone.
Other affected areas include Sandwell and Walsall, ranking sixth and ninth worst nationally, with 564 and 459 offences respectively. Across the West Midlands, 1,087 of these crimes involved child victims, including 274 children under the age of 13.
While TikTok was frequently mentioned in these incident reports, the platform emphasizes that its involvement does not imply direct causation, but rather that TikTok was “heavily mentioned” in association with the offences.
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The most prevalent type of offence reported was violence against the person, highlighting the severe risks children face in these online environments.
Ellie Lamey, a specialist at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, expressed deep concern: “The high volume of these cases is a stark warning to parents and authorities. Predators are weaponising everyday platforms, turning what should be a safe digital space into a hunting ground. The trauma caused by cyber-stalking, harassment, and online abuse leads to profound real-world effects, devastating families’ sense of safety.”
In response, TikTok reaffirmed its commitment to user safety, noting that teen accounts benefit from more than 50 preset safety, privacy, and security measures. The company also collaborates with law enforcement across the UK to support investigations and swiftly remove illegal content when necessary.