Crime

Children as young as 11 targeted by sextortion criminals

Published

9 months ago

March 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Internet safety experts warn of growing threat

CHILDREN as young as 11 are being targeted by online sextortion gangs for the first time, experts have warned.

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has described the trend as “deeply concerning” and said criminals are widening their efforts to trap young victims.

Sextortion is a form of blackmail where victims – often teenage boys, though cases involving girls are rising – are tricked into sending explicit images to fraudsters who contact them via social media and messaging platforms. The criminals then demand money, threatening to distribute the images if their demands are not met.

The IWF reported five confirmed cases last year involving victims aged 11 to 13, out of 175 total cases involving children under 17. While the total was slightly lower than the previous year’s 176, experts say the threat remains serious.

‘Children as young as eight targeted’

Last month, parents at a primary school were urged to check their children’s devices after an eight-year-old girl was reportedly targeted in a sextortion scam.

The school warned that an individual had been impersonating pupils on Snapchat, and police confirmed that an investigation was underway after multiple reports of indecent images being shared.

Tamsin McNally, IWF’s hotline manager, said the organisation had observed a disturbing new tactic used by criminals.

“They are now not only threatening to share images but also making it appear as if the victim is responsible for a sexual crime. This adds an extraordinary level of pressure, making victims more likely to comply with demands,” she said.

Sextortion cases reported in Wales

South Wales Police reported a rise in sextortion cases in 2024, with victims being blackmailed into paying money to prevent explicit images from being shared. Criminals often impersonated acquaintances on social media to manipulate individuals into sending intimate content.

The National Crime Agency also issued an alert to schools across Wales, warning of an increase in financially motivated sextortion targeting children and young people. Organised crime groups were identified as a key driver behind these scams, coercing victims into sending images before demanding payments under threat of exposure.

North Wales Police have since provided guidance on responding to sextortion attempts, urging victims not to comply with demands and to report incidents immediately.

Online blackmail gangs operate globally

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has previously warned that international cybercriminals are running sextortion scams from abroad, with West Africa and Nigeria identified as hotspots for these criminal networks.

Experts believe many children remain unaware that they can remove intimate images from the internet through a dedicated service designed to help victims. The ‘Report Remove’ tool, operated by the IWF and the NSPCC, allows children to anonymously flag explicit content so that tech platforms can take it down or prevent it from being uploaded.

In 2024, usage of the Report Remove tool surged, with 1,142 reports processed – a 44% increase from the previous year. Nearly half of the cases involved victims aged 14 to 15, while 151 of the 175 sextortion cases reported last year came through the tool.

One parent, speaking anonymously, said the service had been a “gamechanger” after their 16-year-old son was targeted by a sextortion gang.

Derek Ray-Hill, interim chief executive of the IWF, said: “These figures show just how ruthless offenders are in targeting our children. There has never been a greater need for services like Report Remove to protect young people from exploitation.”

Parents and children are urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspected sextortion attempts to police and online safety organisations.

Crime

Emergency bags rolled out to support domestic abuse victims across Dyfed-Powys

Published

31 minutes ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Thirty packs provide immediate help for families fleeing dangerous situations

A NEW initiative aimed at supporting victims of domestic abuse has seen thirty emergency bags distributed for use across the Dyfed-Powys Police area.

The bags, which contain essential items including toiletries, non-perishable snacks and emergency supplies, are designed to offer immediate practical support to individuals and families forced to flee abusive situations, often with little or nothing.

The scheme forms part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for victims and is being delivered in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police and Dal i Godi, the commissioned Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA) service.

Dal i Godi provides specialist support to victims at high risk of serious harm, including safety planning and advocacy through the criminal justice process.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said the initiative was already proving its value.

“This is an incredible initiative that I’m proud to support,” he said. “It provides meaningful help to those experiencing trauma and reflects our ongoing work to put victims first.

“Within just a few days of the bags being distributed to the Dal i Godi service, one was given to a victim fleeing a domestic abuse situation, along with a children’s pack to support their young family. That shows just how essential this support can be and how quickly it can make a difference.”

Detective Chief Inspector Llyr Williams, from the Dyfed-Powys Police Vulnerability Hub, said the emergency bags could provide a vital lifeline at critical moments.

“These emergency bags offer support at some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life,” he said.

“The contents provide immediate comfort, dignity and practical help for those leaving their homes in crisis. While simple, they represent an important first step towards safety and recovery.

“We are proud to be working with partners across the Dyfed-Powys area to ensure this support reaches people when they need it most.”

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or concerned about someone else, is encouraged to seek help. In an emergency, call 999.

Domestic abuse can also be reported online via Dyfed-Powys Police.

Support services available include Victim Support Dyfed-Powys, which offers free and confidential help to anyone affected by crime, whether or not it has been reported, and Dal i Godi, which provides specialist IDVA support for high-risk victims.

The Live Fear Free Helpline offers 24-hour support for those experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence across Wales.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, please consider reporting it. If you are in danger or need support right away, please call 999.

You can report domestic abuse through the online crime reporting service here: Report domestic abuse | Dyfed-Powys Police.

Support is also available via the below support services:

Victim Support Dyfed-Powys

Free, independent support for anyone affected by crime in the Dyfed-Powys area, whether or not it has been reported to the police.

0300 123 2996

Victim Support Dyfed-Powys

Dal i Godi (IDVA Service)

Specialist support for victims of domestic abuse at high risk, offering safety planning, emotional support, and advocacy with agencies such as police and courts.

01267 221194

Dal i Godi

Live Fear Free Helpline

24/7 support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence.

0808 80 10 800 | Text 07860 077333

[email protected]

Crime

Rugby player’s life changed forever by knife attack — attacker jailed for 22½ years

Published

2 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Seren Baker

A YOUNG rugby player was left fighting for his life after being stabbed repeatedly outside a Gorseinon social club — and on Friday (Dec 19) the man responsible was jailed at Swansea Crown Court.

Morgan Hopkins, aged 18 at the time of the attack, was seriously injured in the early hours of Sunday (June 22) outside The New Lodge Social Club on Alexandra Road.

Mr Hopkins, known to friends as “Hobby”, is a local rugby player with Morriston RFC. He had been waiting for a lift home with his girlfriend when trouble broke out nearby.

The court heard that Mr Hopkins attempted to defuse a confrontation between another group of males and Kane Evans. As tensions rose, Evans approached Mr Hopkins armed with a knife.

In a final attempt to calm the situation, Mr Hopkins reportedly said: “No one needed to get hurt.”

***Morgan Hopkins,18, pictured here with his parents was left with life-changing injuries following the attack***

Moments later, Evans launched a ferocious and unprovoked attack.

Mr Hopkins was stabbed no fewer than ten times to the chest and abdomen. Surgeons later told police that one of the wounds was less than half an inch from being fatal.

He underwent extensive emergency surgery and was left with lasting physical and psychological injuries.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Hopkins described the terror of the attack and the devastating impact it has had on his life.

He said his dream of playing professional rugby had been put on hold, adding that the loss of weekly matches had left him feeling lost and isolated. He told the court he no longer felt safe in his own home and struggled to go out, describing ongoing anxiety and depression.

Mr Hopkins also detailed the financial consequences of the attack, saying he had lost around £4,800 in wages and a further £800 from a cancelled holiday.

Police confirmed that Kane Evans, now aged 21, had gone out that night armed with a kitchen knife and may also have been carrying a second Stanley-type blade.

Officers said Evans was aggressive at the time of his arrest and was later charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

At Swansea Crown Court today, Evans was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison, with an extended licence period of five years to follow.

Passing sentence, the judge described the attack as random and extremely violent, warning that Evans posed a serious ongoing risk to the public.

Family members and supporters of Mr Hopkins were present in court as the sentence was handed down.

Since the attack, friends, teammates and members of the local community have rallied around Mr Hopkins, offering support as he continues his recovery from injuries that have permanently altered his life.

Crime

Police appeal after stolen Ford Fiesta crashes into lamppost

Published

2 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Officers ask residents to check CCTV and dashcam footage

POLICE are appealing for information following the theft of a vehicle in Ystradowen on Thursday evening (Dec 18).

A silver Ford Fiesta, registration CV05 CVJ, was reported stolen from a property on Brynawel Terrace, Penygraig Road, at around 5.30pm.

The vehicle was later discovered on New Road, Cwmllynfell, where it had been involved in a collision with a lamppost.

Dyfed-Powys Police are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle, or who lives or travelled along the route between Brynawel Terrace and New Road, Cwmllynfell, to check their CCTV or dashcam footage in case the incident was captured.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by calling 101, or by sending a direct message via social media.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Quote reference: 25*1032732.