FOI Ref: FOI/2022/3502
You asked
Please supply any files or data relating to online cyber-bullying, trolling or hate speech.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Unfortunately, we don't hold all the data requested, however, you may find the following information helpful.
We publish figures on the levels and trends of crime in England and Wales primarily based on data from two sources: The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) and police recorded crime data.
The CSEW is a victimisation survey which asks adults in residential households about their experience of crime in the previous 12 months. In addition, where a child aged 10-15 is present in the household, they are asked to complete a separate survey about their experiences of crime.
In 2019, a new set of questions on children's experiences on online, including cyber-bullying were added to the 10 to 15-year-olds' CSEW. Data on the prevalence and nature of online bullying among children was first published for the year ending March 2020 and can be found in our Online Bullying in England and Wales Appendix Tables. This is the most up to date data we hold as the 10- to 15- year-olds' CSEW was paused in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
We also publish police recorded crime alongside data from the CSEW. Table A4 in the Crime in England and Wales: Appendix tables presents police recorded crime for Harassment and Malicious communication offences. Table F11 in our other related tables also presents the proportion of harassment offences recorded by the police which have been flagged as an online crime.
Data on arrests and police recorded crime is the responsibility of the Home Office and they may be able to assist you further with your query. They can be contacted at CrimeandPoliceStats@homeoffice.gov.uk.
If you have any other questions in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us at CrimeStatistics@ons.gov.uk.