Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Police have been criticized for inadequate investigations into allegations that a gang was extorting men through the gay dating app Grindr, according to an investigation by the BBC. The probe uncovered at least five suspected blackmail incidents in one locality, many linked to the same group, which has not yet been apprehended. In one tragic case, a victim took his own life within a day of men arriving at his home demanding his new Range Rover.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees police accountability, instructed Hertfordshire Police—the force handling the investigation—to assess whether “homophobic assumptions” may have contributed to shortcomings in how the case was managed. Hertfordshire Police declined to comment on specific details but affirmed its commitment to fostering strong connections with LGBTQ+ communities. The BBC also spoke with the family of another gay man who died after being targeted on the app. Various charities have expressed concern that insufficient awareness about crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals hampers effective responses.
One of the key cases involved Cameron Tewson and his partner, Scott Gough, in Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire. In March 2024, a group of six men, described by Mr Tewson as “white and in their mid 20s,” showed up at Mr Gough’s home demanding the keys to his brand-new car. The men fled when police and a neighbor were alerted but left behind a note addressed to the “owner of a white Range Rover” with the car’s registration number and a phone contact, stating: “I think it’s in your best interest to give me a call.” Following this, Mr Gough, who worked at a car dealership, appeared reluctant to discuss the matter and preferred to communicate directly with the police. His partner believes he was trying to conceal that he had been using Grindr, something Mr Gough had done previously, saying, “I feel strongly he knew who they were, and he kept that
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.