Social media-related crime up by 780%

Crime linked to the use of Facebook and Twitter has increased 780% in four years.

According to The Guardian, complaints to the police about crimes in which the social media sites were a factor reached 4,908 last year.















In 2008, only 556 similar complaints were made.

Roughly 650 people were charged last year as a result of social network crime.

The figures were released by 29 police forces in England, Scotland and Wales.

A number of forces also released their figures in more detail, showing that harassment and threatening messages were some of the most common complaints raised by the public.



In July this year, a 17-year-old was arrested and released on bail after sending diver and Olympic bronze medal winner Tom Daley abusive messages on Twitter.

Other recent high-profile victims of online abuse include Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott, The X Factor finalist Christopher Maloney and 'Say Nothing' singer Example.