Nearly 4,000 cyber-flashing crimes have been recorded by police in England and Wales since it became an offence last year, new figures show.

Cyber-flashing is when someone sends a photo or video of genitals to another person to scare, upset or humiliate them. It became a specific criminal offence in January 2024 under the Online Safety Act.

Figures from the Home Office focusing on crimes which primarily target women and girls show 3,951 cyber-flashing offences were recorded by police up to the end of June this year.

The Met Police recorded the highest number of cyber-flashing crimes (268), followed by West Midlands Police (240) and Essex Police (192).

Although cyber-flashing is a considered a violence against women and girls (VAWG) offence, the figures include crimes against all gender

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