Online Dating Warning From Teesside Singles

Many of our region's singletons rely on dating apps and websites to help them find true love, but could they be putting themselves in harms way?

TFM have been looking into just how safe it is to meet up with someone you've been chatting to online for a date.

One Stockton woman told us she was left terrified after a number of dates went badly wrong for her.

Kate, who wants to remain anonymous, says one date forced himself on her when he offered her a lift to town.

She said: "He didn't take the main roads, instead he took all the back country lanes and we were going a bit too fast.

"I asked him to slow down and he pulled into a layby that was hidden by some trees.

"He just kept staring at me and I tried to joke on saying "I don't think this is town" but he just laughed and pulled the back of my head towards him to start kissing me.

"He started pulling up my dress and putting his hands up my legs, it really freaked me out.

"He huffed a bit then got off me and he just drove to town in silence.

"I said bye as I got out the car but he just drove off and called me a tease."

Kate says she understands that she put herself into a dangerous situation, but on more than one occasion had to cut ties with dates she met online.

Relationship expert Carol Walker is Chief Executive of Relate North East, and she says trouble can be caused when two people meeting up online want very different things.

She said: "If somebody's put on their profile that they're looking for a long-term relationship, but actually they don't want that, and they meet up with someone who is looking for a long-term relationship, then they're going to get angry.

"You've got different expectations."

Cleveland Police are now urging people meeting up with online dates to take extra care, as they are putting themselves in a potentially dangerous situation.

DC Ian Pearson told us people must use their common sense when meeting up with strangers, and treat online dating like they would in real life.

He said: "If you're meeting someone new for the first time don't give out all your personal information, don't give out anything about yourself.

"Arrange to meet them in a very public place, ideally with a friend.

"Then if you want to get out, you've got a very good get-out clause."

If you've been affected, let us know on Twitter at @TFMRadioNews.