If a child has been groomed on WhatsApp, who do I report it to first?

Report it to the National Crime Agency's CEOP Safety Centre at ceop.police.uk and call 101 (or 999 if a child is in immediate danger). Also use the in-app report so the platform can remove the account. NSPCC can be called on 0808 800 5000 for confidential adult advice; Childline 0800 1111 supports the child directly.

Should I block the account before reporting?

Save evidence first. Take dated screenshots showing the username and the URL, then report inside the app, and only block afterwards. Once blocked you may lose the ability to see the chat or capture further proof if the abuse continues.

What if the content shows nude or sexual images of a child?

Do not save the images yourself. Report the URL to the Internet Watch Foundation at iwf.org.uk and to CEOP. If a child is in danger now, call 999. Police can preserve the evidence from the platform under safeguarding powers.

How to report abuse, scams or harmful content on WhatsApp

A UK parent's walkthrough for reporting WhatsApp contacts, group messages and scams, with CEOP, IWF, NSPCC, Action Fraud and police routes.

WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, so the only person who can preserve the evidence is the recipient. Take screenshots, then use Report inside the app, which forwards the most recent messages from that contact to WhatsApp for review without breaking encryption.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise save evidence and use the steps below.

How to report inside the app

Save evidence

Screenshot the messages. Long-press a message → three dots → Export chat (without media) to email yourself a text record. Note the phone number, time in UK time and any group name. Tip: Export the chat BEFORE you block, otherwise you may lose access.

Report a contact

Open the chat → three dots → More → Report. The last five messages from that contact are forwarded to WhatsApp.

Report a group

Open the group → tap the group name → scroll to bottom → Report Group.

Block the contact (after evidence)

Three dots → Block. Tick "Report contact" if you have not already reported.

Report scams to Action Fraud and 7726

For job, romance, investment or sextortion scams: report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk). Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (free).

Escalate child safety concerns externally

Grooming or sexual contact with a child: CEOP (ceop.police.uk). Nude or sexual images of a child: IWF (iwf.org.uk). Immediate danger: 999. Non-emergency police: 101. NSPCC adult helpline: 0808 800 5000. Childline for the child: 0800 1111.

Tell trusted adults

Notify the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, especially if the harm is between pupils. Schools have a legal safeguarding duty to act.

Evidence to save

Screenshots of the messages, with the phone number visible at the top.
Exported chat (.txt) via Three dots → Export chat → Without media.
Phone number (including international code) and any contact name.
Group name and admin name if the abuse was inside a group.
Date, time in UK time and a short timeline note.

Save evidence BEFORE blocking the account: once blocked you may lose access to the messages.

What not to do

Do not reply to, threaten or confront the person who has caused harm.
Do not delete the chat, message or account before evidence has been saved.
Do not share screenshots of abusive content on social media or in parent chats.
Do not promise your child you will keep what they tell you a secret.
Do not wait to see if it stops on its own if grooming or sexual content is involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-20Next review: 2026-08-20