FOI 298045

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 298045

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 14th December 2023. Please find below the response to your request:

The number of cases reported to your police force involving allegations of witchcraft, black magic, or similar practices from 2018 to 2023, broken down by year.
A brief description of each incident, including the nature of the allegation (e.g., threatening others with black magic, claims of witchcraft used against someone).
The outcomes of these cases, including whether they resulted in any criminal convictions or referrals to other agencies.

Reply

The number of cases reported to your police force involving allegations of witchcraft, black magic, or similar practices from 2018 to 2023, broken down by year
Calendar Year Number of crimed and crimed incidents
2018 2
2019 3
2020 10
2021 12
2022 7
2023 (Jan-Nov) 12
Grand Total 46

A brief description of each incident, including the nature of the allegation (e.g., threatening others with black magic, claims of witchcraft used against someone).
The outcomes of these cases, including whether they resulted in any criminal convictions or referrals to other agencies.

Anonymised crime reference Home Office offence title Nature of allegation Police Outcome/Crimed incident outcome
CR001 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety Threatening victim with witchcraft Type 14 - Evidential Difficulties Victim Based- Suspect Not Identified: Crime Confirmed But The Victim Either Declines Or Unable To Support Further Police Investigation To Identify The Offender
CR002 Crimed incident: Mental Health Investigation Claims others practicing voodoo against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR003 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Reported as a concern for safety: social media messages about witchcraft Crimed Incident - agency liaison (person already under care in healthcare setting).
CR004 Crimed incident: Mental Health Investigation Claims others practicing witchcraft against them Crimed Incident - person taken back to healthcare setting.
CR005 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Victim told was suffering from black magic Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR006 Threats to kill Suspect hearing black magic voices Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR007 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety Threatening victim with black magic Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR008 Rape of a female aged 16 or over Victim accusing others of using black magic against them Type 18 - Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified. Crime Investigated As Far As Reasonably Possible-Case Closed Pending Further Investigative Opportunities Becoming Available
CR009 Rape of a female aged 16 or over Victim accusing others of using black magic against them Type 18 - Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified. Crime Investigated As Far As Reasonably Possible-Case Closed Pending Further Investigative Opportunities Becoming Available
CR010 Rape of a female aged 16 or over Victim accusing others of using black magic against them Type 18 - Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified. Crime Investigated As Far As Reasonably Possible-Case Closed Pending Further Investigative Opportunities Becoming Available
CR011 Rape of a female aged 16 or over Victim accusing others of using black magic against them Type 18 - Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified. Crime Investigated As Far As Reasonably Possible-Case Closed Pending Further Investigative Opportunities Becoming Available
CR012 Rape of a female aged 16 or over Victim accusing others of using black magic against them Type 18 - Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified. Crime Investigated As Far As Reasonably Possible-Case Closed Pending Further Investigative Opportunities Becoming Available
CR013 Assault without Injury - Common assault and battery Claims others practicing voodoo against them Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action
CR014 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing voodoo against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR015 Racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress Victim accused of using voodoo on suspect Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR016 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing voodoo against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR017 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing voodoo against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR018 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing black magic against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR019 Mental Health Investigation Claims others practicing witchcraft against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR020 Stalking - Pursue course of conduct in breach of Sec 1 (1) which amounts to stalking Victim accused of believing possessed and believing in black magic Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action
CR021 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety Threatening victim with black magic Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action
CR022 Harassment Threatening victim with voodoo Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR023 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety Threatening victim with voodoo Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR024 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety Threatening victim's partner with voodo Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR025 Assault without Injury - Common assault and battery Suspect accusing others of witchcraft Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR026 Racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress Use of term 'black magic' to cause racial abuse and harassment. Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR027 Harassment Use of term 'black magic' to cause racial abuse and harassment. Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR028 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing voodoo against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR029 Assault without Injury - Common assault and battery Accusing others of using black magic Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR030 Domestic Abuse Investigation Partner concerned about partner's mental health:practicing voodoo/witchcraft Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR031 Racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress Victim accused of practicing voodoo Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action
CR032 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing witchcraft against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR033 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety Threatening victim with voodoo Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action
CR034 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing witchcraft against them Crimed Incident - person taken to healthcare setting.
CR035 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety Threatening victim with black magic Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action
CR036 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing witchcraft Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR037 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing black magic against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR038 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing voodoo against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR039 Engage in controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate / family relationship. Victim accusing partner of using witchcraft against them Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action
CR040 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing black magic against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR041 Threats to kill Claims others of practicing witchcraft and voodoo against them Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR042 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety Threatening victim with black magic Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR043 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing voodoo against them Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR044 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing witchcraft Crimed Incident - referral to other agency
CR045 Harassment Use of term 'witchcraft' to cause harassment. Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action
CR046 Crimed incident: Adult Protection Investigation Claims others practicing black magic Crimed Incident - referral to other agency