Liverpool Live

Radio City is teaming up with a Wirral charity to lift the lid on a hidden crime that effects vulnerable people living with autism. “Mate Crime” sees people on the autistic spectrum targeted by criminals, posing as friends, who go on to exploit them financially, socially or even sexually. Often, the victims aren’t even aware that anything is wrong because of the way they view the world. A survey by Wirral based “Autism together” has found: 77% of autistic people have been bullied or taken advantage of by someone they thought was a friend. 71% have been called names and picked on by “friends” 46% have been pushed, shoved, or physically harmed by “friends” And 42% have had food, money or possessions stolen by “friends Steve Vasey from Autism Together has been speaking to reporter Amy Scarisbrick to set out some of the issues faced by those affected by Mate Crime.