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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Dan Milmo Global technology editor

NSPCC reports sharp rise in children being blackmailed over sexual images in UK

NSPCC United Kingdom Childline Chi Onwurah Sexual Abuse
A student in school uniform holds a phone while seated at a desk with an open textbook
Children contacted by the NSPCC over the past year have described being tricked into sending nude selfies by a criminal pretending to be a teenage girl. Photograph: SolStock/Getty Images

Children reported a rise in online blackmail attempts involving sexual images in the UK last year, according to a leading charity.

The NSPCC said contacts with its Childline service relating to online sexual abuse and exploitation rose by 36% last year, driven by an increase in cases related to online blackmail.

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