PC 1310 Weatherstone attended Catterick Garrison Army HIVE on 05/04/2023 to engage with the Army HIVE team regarding any community issues they have had reported to them. Officers also discussed the rising issue of blackmail or ‘Sextortion’ which is being reported to the police and how the Police can best support the Military communities affected by this crime.
'Sextortion' is a form of blackmail. It involves threatening to publish sexual information, photos or videos about someone. This may be to extort money or to force the victim to do something against their will. Photos or recordings are often made without the victim realising or consenting. Criminals often target people through dating apps, social media, webcams or pornography sites. They may use a fake identity to befriend you online and then threaten to send images to your family and friends. Sextortion can be committed by individuals but organised crime gangs are usually behind it.
More information and useful links are available on the North Yorkshire Police website: https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/sexual-offences/sextortion/
Information provided by Catterick HIVE Hub