We are clear that the police and other law enforcement agencies where appropriate, should take reports of extortion seriously and investigate them appropriately. Those who commit offences involving extortion should be taken through the courts and met with tough sentences.

The Anti-Kidnap and Extortion Unit in the National Crime Agency undertakes awareness raising to assist law enforcement agencies’ understanding of the threat.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not hold any information on the number of Facebook pages based in the UK closed down in 2014 following reports of online abuse and blackmail. We are working with social media companies to improve online safety and ensure they put appropriate measures in place to protect their users.

Blackmail, whether on or offline, is a serious offence which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment. Investigation of these offences is an operational matter for the police.

The CEOP command of the NCA engage nationally and internationally with partners to raise awareness of the threat of child sexual exploitation and abuse, educate children and young people to prevent them from becoming victims and deter offenders. Specifically through its thinkuknow.co.uk website the NCA works with children, schools, other practitioners and families to help protect children and young people from sexual abuse and exploitation.

My Noble Colleague, the Minister for Internet Safety and Security, meets on a quarterly basis with her Ministerial co-Chairs of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS). UKCCIS focuses on keeping children safe online, and discusses topical issues, such as cyber-bullying and blackmail. Members represent organisations who are actively involved in helping to overcome these issues, including teaching young people on how to stay safe online and tackling those who seek to use the internet to bully and blackmail children.