Coronavirus: online pedophiles and domestic abuse cases surge in UK

Secretary of State for the Home Department of United Kingdom Priti Patel said that total crime rate has dropped during the COVID-19 outbreak but fraudsters are “exploiting the virus”.

While giving the press briefing at the daily Downing Street on coronavirus, Priti Patel has highlighted risks to victims of domestic abuse and child abuse adding that fraud victims had lost more than £1.8m.

The Home Secretary of UK added that the National Domestic Abuse Helpline has reported a 120% rise in calls in one 24-hour period.

She has revealed that criminal elements have exploited the coronavirus pandemic to con citizens out of £1.8million.

She further stated that padeophiles scouring the Internet for children working and socializing online.

Priti Patel speech text: ‘Fraudsters are exploiting coronavirus as a hook for new acquisitive crimes with losses to victims already exceeding £1.8million,’ the Home Secretary thundered to the nation.

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‘The perpetrators of sickening online child abuse are seeking to exploit the fact that more and more young people and children are at home and online. And in the last week the National Domestic Abuse Helpline reported a 120 per cent increase in the number of calls it received in one 24-hour period.’

‘For the victims of these crimes, home is not the safe haven that it should be and that is why I have been working with law enforcement, charities, schools, businesses and local councils.

‘Our outstanding police will still be there for you.’

 UK has recorded 917 COVID-19 related deaths in 24 hours, taking the tally to 9,875.

WATCH LIVE: #coronavirus press conference (11 April 2020)

Speakers:
🔵 @Patel4Witham, Home Secretary
🔵 Martin Hewitt, National Police Chiefs' Council
🔵 Prof Stephen Powis, @NHSEngland https://t.co/gXGbOHMzjw

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 11, 2020