The number of reported incidents of online grooming and abuse in Cumbria has risen since 2019, figures have revealed.

The county saw a total of 32 reports of such incidents in 2019, and this increased slightly by five last year with 37 reports.

The NSPCC recently reported that across all of the United Kingdom 90 potential online abuse crimes came to light every day.

Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner Peter McCall said: “It’s appalling to think that criminals are targeting our children online but unfortunately it does happen, and we must do all we can to safeguard our children and young people against this abuse.

SAFE: Police are working to reduce the number of incidents of online grooming and abuse

SAFE: Police are working to reduce the number of incidents of online grooming and abuse

“Cyber-crime is quickly advancing, which is why in Cumbria we have set up and funded the Cyber and Digital Crime Unit, a team of specialist police officers who tackle all cyber-crime investigations and the cyber elements of other investigations in Cumbria.

"We have also established Child Centred Policing Teams based in Local Focus Hubs covering the whole county and their mission is to identify and protect the most vulnerable children in our communities not only from being targeted by crime but also intervening and preventing them from becoming drawn into and involved in crime.

“As always, we the public have a role to play and the police cannot be effective without our help in watching out for vulnerable people in our communities and by reporting suspicious and criminal behaviour."

Cumbria Constabulary has vowed to ensure the safety of the children of Cumbria and continue its campaign to bring incidents down.