Bullies may no longer be able to hide their identity

Police are to use sweeping new surveillance powers to unmask anonymous internet bullies and bring them to justice.

A new power that forces internet providers to retain web browsing information will help police to hunt down and identify the most serious cyberbullies and trolls, Theresa May has said.

The home secretary said that the new bill would help law enforcement authorities to fight a “pernicious issue”.

Research suggests that seven in ten young people in Britain have fallen victim to cyberbullies. Several suicides have been linked to anonymous bullying on social networks such as Ask.fm, where one teenager was told to “drink bleach” and “go die”.

The draft bill, which is being considered by parliament, is intended to equip Britain’s spies with extra surveillance capabilities