SOARING numbers of alleged crimes on social media are being probed by police in the district.

Police revealed 361 crime reports mentioned Facebook in 2014, up from 297 in 2013 and 278 in 2012.

These include allegations of sexual offences, threats to kill and harassment. Alleged offences in Lancashire mentioning Twitter rose from seven in 2012 to 16 in 2013 and 18 in 2014.

MORE TOP STORIES:

In statistics released under the Freedom of Information Act, 38 of 45 forces reported a rise in 2014 in the number of crime reports where Facebook appeared; 24 forces said they also received more crime reports which mentioned Twitter last year than in 2013.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: “We accept that people have the right to communicate, even to communicate in an obnoxious or disagreeable way, and there is no desire on the part of the police to get involved in that judgment. But there are many offences involving social media, such as harassment or genuine threats of violence, which can cause harm. It is that higher end of offending which forces must concentrate on.”

Greater Manchester Police said Facebook appeared in 959 crime reports last year, up from 512 in 2013 and 451 in 2012. Last year’s complaints included 371 allegations of harassment, 38 threats to kill and eight rape allegations involving girls under the age of 16. There are fears the true level of abuse is much higher.

A Facebook spokesman said the company responds to appropriate requests from police to provide information about illegal activity, and does not tolerate abusive behaviour.

A Twitter spokesman declined to comment on the figures.