In light of a staggering 82 per cent increase in online grooming cases, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion has reiterated his unwavering support for the forthcoming Online Safety Bill. This legislation aims to bolster the safety of internet users by holding technology companies accountable for content on their platforms.

Recent data from the prominent children's charity, NSPCC, reveals that 1,654 online grooming incidents have been documented across four police forces in the last six years. This includes cases reported to West Mercia Police. These figures are part of the broader 34,000 grooming crimes logged by 42 UK police forces since the offence's introduction in the 2017/2018 period.

Set to be enacted this autumn, the Online Safety Bill is a cornerstone of Campion's vision for a more secure West Mercia, encompassing both physical and online communities.

PCC John Campion remarked, "While I'm heartened by the increasing number of individuals stepping forward to report online grooming, the sheer magnitude of these numbers is deeply concerning. My Safer West Mercia Plan is rooted in safeguarding all communities, especially the vulnerable internet users, ensuring they remain unscathed by crime. I am confident that the Online Safety Bill will institute the necessary legal measures to enhance online safety. I am dedicated to ensuring that West Mercia Police rigorously enforce the provisions of this legislation."

Originally introduced as a whitepaper in April 2019, the Online Safety Bill, also referred to as the Online Harms Bill, was conceived as a countermeasure to the myriad of online threats, including hate speech, cyberbullying, and disinformation.

The UK government describes the bill as a pioneering legal framework designed to shield both children and adults online. The legislation seeks to impose greater responsibility on social media companies regarding the safety of their users. A pivotal aspect of the bill mandates social media firms to evaluate the potential of their platforms to enable abusers to maintain anonymity. Furthermore, it necessitates these companies to prohibit repeat offenders, restrict their ability to establish new accounts, and curtail the activities of new or dubious accounts.