FOI data reveals forty-two under-18 victims as police record more than 130 incidents mentioning the platform

CHILDREN were the largest group of victims in Dyfed-Powys crimes where TikTok was mentioned, new Freedom of Information figures have revealed.

Data obtained by JF Law shows that Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 131 TikTok-linked violence, stalking and harassment offences between 2023 and 2025.

Of those, forty-two victims were under the age of eighteen.

Pembrokeshire recorded 32 incidents over the three-year period, with eight in 2023, thirteen in 2024 and eleven in 2025.

Across the force area, Carmarthenshire recorded the highest number of incidents, with 51. Powys recorded 29 and Ceredigion recorded thirteen.

Stalking and harassment made up the vast majority of the Dyfed-Powys cases, accounting for 128 of the 131 offences. Three were recorded as violence with injury.

Wales-wide concern

The figures were obtained through Freedom of Information requests covering Welsh police forces.

South Wales Police recorded the highest number, with 2,034 crimes where TikTok or Tik Tok was mentioned in police records between 2023 and 2025.

Those figures rose from 488 in 2023 to 656 in 2024 and 890 in 2025.

Gwent Police recorded 373 incidents, while North Wales Police recorded 199.

The North Wales data included cases of harassment, malicious communications, blackmail, sexual grooming, sexual activity involving a child under sixteen, exposure and voyeurism, and threats to kill.

Police forces stressed that the figures do not mean TikTok caused the crimes. The data relates to cases where the platform was mentioned in the modus operandi field or investigation summary.

‘Digital hunting ground’

Ellie Lamey, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority specialist at JF Law, said: “The sheer volume of these cases is a stark warning to parents and authorities alike.

“We are seeing everyday platforms being weaponised by predators to target our youngest and most vulnerable, turning what should be a harmless online space into a digital hunting ground.

“The trauma inflicted by cyber-stalking, harassment, and online-facilitated abuse has profound, real-world consequences that can completely shatter a family’s sense of security.”

She added: “It is crucial that victims know there are concrete legal avenues available to fight back.

“Nobody should have to navigate this nightmare in silence, and we are committed to helping survivors secure the protection, justice, and support they need to move forward.”

JF Law provides legal support and advice to those affected by online harassment, abuse and related crimes. Their website is www.jflaw.co.uk.

Defendant remanded in custody as court hears allegations spanning Wales and South West England

A MAN accused of carrying out a series of high-value thefts from Currys stores across Wales and South West England has appeared before magistrates in connection with an alleged offence in Haverfordwest.

Ilia Patchkoria, aged 27, of no fixed abode, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court facing multiple theft allegations involving electrical goods worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Among the charges is an allegation that Patchkoria stole items worth £1,525 from the Currys store in Haverfordwest on May 23 this year.

The court heard that the Haverfordwest incident forms part of a wider series of alleged offences said to have taken place at Currys stores across Wales and England.

Other charges relate to alleged thefts at stores in Carmarthen, Barnstaple, Plymouth, Truro, Penzance and Torquay. The total value of the goods involved in the various allegations runs into many thousands of pounds.

According to the court register, the largest single alleged theft took place at the Carmarthen branch, where goods valued at more than £7,600 are said to have been taken.

Patchkoria indicated guilty pleas to some matters before the court. Magistrates ordered that he be remanded in custody while proceedings continue.

The case has been adjourned until July 2, when it is due to return before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

It is not yet known precisely what items were allegedly taken from the Haverfordwest store, although Currys outlets typically stock a range of high-value electrical goods including laptops, mobile phones, gaming consoles and household technology.

No verdicts have been reached in relation to the outstanding allegations.

The Herald has approached Currys for comment on the alleged Haverfordwest theft and to establish whether the incident caused any disruption to customers or store operations.

Photo caption: Currys in Haverfordwest was among several stores allegedly targeted in a cross-country theft spree (Pic: Herald).

Ten more defendants dealt with after disorder following deaths of two teenagers

EMOTIONAL scenes broke out at Cardiff Crown Court as another ten defendants were sentenced over the Ely riot which followed the deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans.

The boys, aged 16 and 15, died in May 2023 when an e-bike crashed in the Ely area of Cardiff. Their deaths led to a night of serious disorder, with police attacked, vehicles set alight and missiles thrown in the street.

On Thursday (June 18), Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke had to warn the public gallery after gasps, tears and shouted comments during the hearing.

Seven men were jailed for their roles in the violence.

Zayne Farrugia, 26, from Caerau, received the longest sentence of the day at six years. The court heard he joined the front line of the confrontation and threw a number of missiles at police.

Jordan Webster, 30, from Ely, was jailed for five years and seven months. He threw stones and helped move debris into the road as officers tried to bring the disorder under control.

Jamie Bateman, 27, from Caerau, was sentenced to five years and nine months after the court heard he threw missiles and encouraged others to use broken paving slabs during the riot.

Liam Williams, 21, from Rumney, was jailed for four years and three months after bringing fuel and aerosol cans to the scene, which were later used by others to feed a fire.

Jamie Jones, 25, from Llanrumney, was sentenced to five years and two months, while Jayden Westcott, 21, from Ely, received the same term. James Chappell, 31, from Barry, was jailed for four years and four months.

Three women, who were all teenagers at the time of the riot, avoided immediate prison sentences.

Lianna Tucker, 20, from Ely, Jasmine Smith, 21, from Heath, and Jumana Fouad, 19, from Ely, were each handed 24-month community orders with rehabilitation requirements.

The court was told that rumours about the crash had spread quickly on the night, fuelling anger in the crowd. What began as a gathering of upset residents developed into hours of violence, with officers pelted with objects including bricks, bottles, tiles and other debris.

Ten defendants were sentenced on Wednesday, and the hearings are continuing, with 30 people due to be sentenced in total.