Tinder. Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia

A new report shows an increase in sex crimes committed through dating apps like Tindr and Grindr.

Cases of grooming, rape and even attempted murder have gone up 520% since 2013.

These figures have been obtained by the Press Association under the Freedom of Information Act.

The police are now warning of the dangers of meeting up with strangers.

Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Andy Cooke has urged people to not share personal information with strangers:

Individuals should stop all communication with anyone who attempts to pressurise them into something they are not comfortable with.

Dating apps have transformed the way we meet people and how we consider starting relationships since smartphone applications like Tinder appeared in 2012.

On the app’s website it states that it aims to ’empower users around the world to create new connections that otherwise might never have been possible.’

In the summer of 2015 Tinder claimed via twitter that it had created some 8 billion such connections.

It is not only dating that Tinder has influenced.

With a simple swipe of left or right, someone can find someone else close by who is sexually interested in them.

This is fueling what’s become known as quick hook-up culture.

Grindr offers a similar service for the gay community.

Students Isabelle and Amy discuss their experiences using dating apps