Thousands of people have fallen victim to TikTok-related crimes in the West Midlands, shocking new data has revealed. A total of 4,638 incidents linked to the social media app were reported to West Midlands Police between 2023 and 2025.
Around six per cent of victims were under 13, with 274 pre-teens affected over the timeframe. The crimes for all ages included violence, sexual assault, and even rape.
The statistics, released in a police Freedom of Information request by JF Law, come as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government looks to impose a sweeping social media ban on under-16s.
Expert Warning
“The sheer volume of these cases is a stark warning to parents and authorities alike,” said Ellie Lamey from JF Law. “We are seeing everyday platforms being weaponised by predators to target our youngest and most vulnerable, turning what should be a harmless online space into a digital hunting ground.”
She added: “The trauma inflicted by cyber-stalking, harassment, and online-facilitated abuse has profound, real-world consequences that can completely shatter a family's sense of security. It is crucial victims know there are concrete legal avenues available to fight back. Nobody should have to navigate this nightmare in silence, and we are committed to helping survivors secure the protection, justice, and support they need to move forward.”
Although TikTok was named in every incident log linked to the FOI request, the law firm said this only indicated the app featured within the broader circumstances of the offence, rather than acting as the direct cause.
Victim Demographics
Victim demographics showed 813 teenagers aged 13 to 17 were victims over the three years in the West Midlands. The region recorded 274 pre-teen victims, with offences continuing to climb, highlighting a persistent threat to the youngest members of society.
Of the 4,638 total offences recorded, violence against the person was the most prevalent category overall, with 3,575 offences – 77 per cent of the total. Violent incidents rose each year, reaching a peak of 1,544 cases in 2025.
Sexual Offences
Sexual offences also emerged as a major issue. The region recorded 315 incidents of that nature, including rape and sexual assault linked to the app. The number of serious sexual offences increased over the three years, rising from 33 in 2023 to 108 in 2024, and reaching 174 last year.
Public order offences formed a notable part of the data, accounting for 193 incidents over the timeframe. Possession of weapons was recorded in 22 cases.
Breakdown by Area
Birmingham recorded a total of 2,208 offences, with incidents rising year-on-year from 597 cases in 2023 to 967 by 2025. Sandwell was the second highest-volume area with 564 incidents, growing from 148 in 2023 to 254 last year.
Walsall experienced a significant surge, with total cases reaching 459. Incidents nearly tripled over the period, from 88 documented offences in 2023 to 222 cases by 2025. Coventry faced 420 total cases, growing from 116 to 169 annually. Dudley logged 367 total incidents, Wolverhampton recorded 359 cases, and Solihull documented 219, showing a consistent upward trend across every location.
West Mercia Police logged 1,013 total TikTok-related incidents, rising from 259 in 2023 to 460 last year. Staffordshire Police recorded 456 incidents, with crimes doubling over the timeframe to reach 224 cases by the end of 2025. Warwickshire Police recorded 323 total offences, with violence against the person dominating the incidents – 207 total incidents across the three years.
BirminghamLive has asked West Midlands Police and TikTok for comments.
