Cyber crime costing Shropshire £400,000 a year

The amount of money lost in the West Mercia police area from April 2013 to March this year peaked at Christmas due to a huge increase in online purchases, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau said.

The top cyber crime reported in Shropshire was in the category of computer viruses on home and business computers. It was followed by hacking, social media and e-mail, with 148 offences recorded.

West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police have joined forces to create a specialist cyber crime unit. Senior officers warn that cyber crime is rising fast.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Paley, of West Mercia Police's specialist operations unit, said: "Most people would never dream of leaving their home unlocked or handing out details of personal or business bank accounts to strangers in the street. However, many are leaving themselves just as vulnerable as this online."

Computer users were warned that fraudsters will do everything in their powers to hack and steal from them.

Senior officers at West Mercia Police say the rise in cyber crime is one of the biggest challenges they face.

It comes as Shropshire's top policeman is due to open a national conference on the subject, which has been sponsored by West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner, Bill Longmore.

West Mercia chief constable David Shaw will be the first speaker at the conference, due to be held at Worcester University on September 8.

The conference will hear that cyber crime is now estimated to cost Britain £27 billion a year with online shopping and auction scams, advanced fee frauds, online bank account cons and investment scams among the top "volume frauds".

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Paley, of West Mercia Police's specialist operations unit, said today that no-one should think they are safe from online fraudsters.

He said: "Traditional crime categories – such as burglary, violence and robbery – have seen a steady decrease in recent years but cyber crime continues to rise.

"West Mercia Police are committed to raising awareness of cyber crime amongst both members of the public and the business community and events such as this play a crucial role in doing that.

"Awareness really is key. An understanding of the scams to look out for and knowing the simple preventative measures that can be put in place, really can reduce the chances of someone becoming a victim of cyber crime."

The closing speech will be provided by Mr Longmore's deputy Barrie Sheldon, who said today: "The police are aware that crime is changing and that cyber crime provides a growing threat to us all.

"Police officers need to be equipped to respond effectively to reports of cyber crime and have the resources available to them to investigate reported crimes expeditiously and provide a service that inspires confidence in victims.

"There needs to be effective coordination of national, regional, and local responses to cybercrime and there needs to be a wide programme of education and prevention to mitigate the growing threat.

"I am pleased that Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are developing a cybercrime strategy, and this conference will provide the platform to discuss the challenges to be faced and help in developing a strategy that will effectively tackle the cyber criminal."

For more information about the conference or to book a place, email Julia Dale on Julia.dale@westmercia.pnn.police.uk