Doorbell cameras and phones are being weaponised to commit a record number of violent offences against women

By REBECCA CAMBER, CRIME AND SECURITY EDITOR Published: 23:41, 18 May 2026 | Updated: 23:43, 18 May 2026 Technology including doorbell cameras is being weaponised to commit a record number of violent offences against women. New research has revealed a 200 per cent explosion in tech-enabled offences against women and girls using mobile phones, doorbell cameras, smart camera glasses and social media to harass, stalk and monitor victims. Over 123,000 violent offences against women and girls involving a tech element were recorded nationally in a year, which is a 207 per cent increase on referrals from 2018 to 2024.  The number of cases reported increased a further 62 per cent between 2024 and 2025. Research by the National Police Chiefs' Council with the charity Refuge has revealed how technology is being used to control and coerce women and perpetrate crimes such as stalking, revenge porn, online harassment and AI deepfakes. Between August 2022 and July 2023, there were 123,515 violent offences against women and girls recorded nationally with an online or technology-enabled element. Additional research suggests a third of victims contacted the National Domestic Abuse Helpline to report that abusers used technology to intensify their abuse. A study by University College London also shows nearly half of tech-abuse referrals to Refuge involve monitoring or controlling behaviours. Doorbell cameras and other technology are being weaponised to commit a record number of violent crimes against women and girls London mayor Sadiq Khan is set to announce a £6million fund to tackle tech-enabled violence against women and girls, which he described as a 'global emergency' The alarming statistics are being unveiled at a conference today organised by the university where Mayor of London. Sadiq Khan is set to announce a £6million fund to tackle what he described as a 'global emergency'. The conference will hear that advances in technology are making it easier for perpetrators to carry out abuse remotely using everyday devices to intimidate and record victims.  The fund will provide better support for victims of tech-enabled crimes. Mr Khan said: 'Tech-enabled Violence Against Women and Girls is a global emergency.  It transcends borders and the rapid pace of technology has provided new spaces and means for men to monitor, harass and control women and girls using everyday devices.' Conference organiser Dr Leonie Tanczer said: 'Technology-facilitated abuse is no longer a niche or emerging issue – it is sadly part of the everyday reality of coercive control.  'Victims and survivors are left to manage risks created by technologies, institutions and infrastructures they did not design and cannot control. That has to change.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.