Grooming crimes in Scotland up 80% in five years to highest on record

NSPCC Scotland is calling on social media companies and the UK Government to do more to protect children online (Chris Radburn/PA)

The number of grooming crimes in Scotland has risen by 80% in the last five years to the highest on record, according to newly obtained figures.

Police Scotland data released by the children’s charity NSPCC Scotland found that 685 offences of communicating indecently with a child were recorded between April 2020 and March 2021.