Reporting Online Grooming
Online grooming is when an adult builds a relationship of trust with a child online in order to manipulate, exploit, or abuse them. If you believe a child is being groomed, acting quickly can prevent serious harm. In the UK, grooming is a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. You do not need to wait until abuse has taken place before reporting.
Immediate danger — call 999
If you believe a child is in immediate physical danger or is about to meet someone they have been talking to online, call 999 now. Do not wait.
What to report
- •An adult contacting a child and asking for personal details, photos, or to meet in person
- •Someone sending gifts, money, or excessive flattery to gain a child's trust online
- •A person asking a child to keep a relationship or communication secret
- •Any adult who moves conversation to a private or encrypted channel quickly
- •A child who becomes secretive, withdrawn, or unusually protective of their device
How to report
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
When to use
When there has been online sexual communication, grooming, or exploitation by an adult
How to contact
Submit a report at ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/ — available 24/7. You can report on behalf of a child.
What to expect
CEOP is part of the National Crime Agency. Your report goes directly to specialist officers. They will assess the report and may contact you for further information. Serious cases are referred to local police for investigation.
NSPCC Helpline
When to use
When you are worried about a child and want advice before or after reporting to authorities
How to contact
Call 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7) or email [email protected]. Trained safeguarding advisers will help you decide what to do.
What to expect
The NSPCC can make a referral to children's services on your behalf, or advise you to contact CEOP or police. They can also provide support for the child and family.
Local police — 101
When to use
When grooming is suspected but there is no immediate danger; or to follow up on a CEOP report
How to contact
Call 101 (police non-emergency line, available 24/7). Explain you are reporting a child safeguarding concern and ask to speak to the public protection team.
What to expect
Police will log the report and may refer it to the local Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). You should receive a reference number and, in most cases, a follow-up contact.
School Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
When to use
When the child attends school and the concern has arisen in a school-related context, or you want the school to be aware
How to contact
Contact the school directly and ask to speak to the DSL. Every school in England is required by law to have one. Their name is usually listed in the school's safeguarding policy.
What to expect
The DSL will record the concern and decide whether to refer to children's services or police. They will keep you updated where appropriate and put additional safeguards in place for the child.
Evidence checklist
Gather this information before or during your report. Do not delay reporting while collecting evidence — but preserve what you can.
- Screenshots of all messages, including profile names and timestamps
- The full URL or username of the person's profile on each platform
- Any photos or images sent by the adult
- Dates and times of contact, including the first contact
- Names of platforms or apps used (e.g. Snapchat, Instagram, Roblox, WhatsApp)
- Any gifts, money transfers, or items received — note amounts and dates
- Screenshots of any meetup plans or requests to move to a different platform
What to say
You do not need to use a script, but this template may help if you are nervous about making the call. Adapt it to your circumstances.
"I am reporting a concern about online grooming involving a child. The child is [age, no name needed]. An adult using the username [username] on [platform] has been in contact with the child since approximately [date]. The communication has included [brief description — e.g. requesting photos / asking to meet / sending gifts]. I have screenshots of the messages. I am concerned for the child's safety."
What happens next
Once a report is made to CEOP or police, trained officers will assess the information and may contact you for further details. If there is sufficient evidence of criminal activity, the case will be passed to a specialist investigation team. Children's services may also become involved to ensure the child's welfare and safety, particularly if the child is under the care of the local authority.
What not to do
- ✗Do not contact or confront the person suspected of grooming — this can destroy evidence and put the child at greater risk
- ✗Do not delete messages or conversation histories even if they are distressing — these are vital evidence
- ✗Do not tell the child that you have reported unless it is safe and appropriate to do so
- ✗Do not share screenshots publicly on social media — this could compromise any criminal investigation
- ✗Do not wait to see whether the situation resolves itself — early reporting is critical
Frequently asked questions
Can I report anonymously?
CEOP reports can be made without giving your own name, though providing contact details helps investigators follow up. The NSPCC also accepts anonymous calls. If you choose to remain anonymous, you will not receive a case update, but the concern will still be assessed.
What if the child doesn't realise they are being groomed?
This is very common. Groomers work gradually to build trust and normalise the relationship. You do not need the child's consent or understanding before reporting. Reporting is about the child's safety, not their agreement with your assessment.
Does this apply if the person is also under 18?
Yes, children can be exploited by older teenagers or peers. If you are concerned about contact from someone who may also be a child, CEOP can still receive the report. They will assess the ages and circumstances as part of their investigation.
Sources and further information
- CEOP — Report Online Grooming — National Crime Agency / CEOP
- NSPCC — Online Grooming — NSPCC
- Sexual Offences Act 2003 — Grooming — UK Parliament
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-19. This page provides general educational information, not legal or professional safeguarding advice. UK helplines and legislation may change — verify current details with the relevant organisation.