FEWER arrests were made by Dorset Police for malicious communications last year, new figures show, despite an increase in prosecutions across England and Wales.

Online abuse and malicious behaviour has been in the spotlight in recent years, particularly following high-profile events such as England's European Championship loss last year, which saw racist abuse directed at some players on social media.

In the UK, two main offences cover online abuse – section 127 offences, which specifically relate to digital technology, and section one of the Malicious Communications Act 1988, which also covers 'old-fashioned' ways of communicating, such as letters and phone calls, but is often used for online harassment.

Figures obtained by RADAR through a freedom of information request show 10 arrests were made by Dorset Police last year under section one of the malicious communications act – down from 16 the year before.

The force did not provide data on section 127 offences.

A separate freedom of information request made to the Crown Prosecution Service show there were 76 prosecutions across both offences in Dorset in 2021 – a rise from 58 in 2020.

In 2021, 47 prosecutions were for section 127 offences, and 29 were for malicious communications.

The CPS was asked how many charges had been made for the two offences since the introduction of section 127 in 2003, while police forces were asked to provide data on arrests and crime outcomes.

Glitch, a charity working to end online abuse, called the issue a huge problem that has "only become more urgent in recent years".

Gabriela de Oliveira, head of policy, research and campaigns at the charity, said that women and marginalised groups in particular are "paying the price" for a lack of action from tech companies on the issue.

Last year, the Law Commission, a body which keeps the law of England and Wales under review, labelled both offences as outdated and called for them to be replaced.

In February, the Government committed to taking on the commission's recommendations in its Online Safety Bill, which is currently being discussed by Parliament.

The bill is also set to impose penalties on social media companies that do not clamp down on abuse on their platforms.

A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said the bill would lead to a "major improvement" in people's online safety.

"It will force social media firms to take action on the vile abuse people face on their platforms or face heavy fines," they said.