Chief Constable and Commissioner respond to HMICFRS report on cyber crime

The Chief Constable and Commissioner have responded to HMICFRS’ report on cyber crime, published today:

https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/news/news-feed/police-response-cyber-dependent-crime-generally-good/

 Constable Mark Collins, Dyfed-Powys Police, said:

“As cyber-crime has become a more widespread issue, the term has become too broad for us to task resources effectively. That’s why I have specifically outlined cyber-dependant crime as separate priority for Dyfed-Powys Police.

“Our Digital Communications and Cyber Crime Unit was brought in five years ago in response to growing concerns about cyber-crime. Due to demand and the connection between cyber related and economic offences, cyber investigation has recently transitioned across to the Economic Crime Team. This unit employs specialist investigators who look at both cyber-dependant and cyber-enabled crimes, and a role specifically working to protect and engage with our communities and businesses.

“These roles are funded in part by the Police Transformation Fund, which is referenced in the HMICFRS report, and in part by the Police and Crime Commissioner, however, we have plans in place to continue to fund this important function in the long term.

“Cyber-dependant crime disproportionately affects businesses and organisations, and while thankfully the number we deal with is small, these crimes can result in huge financial losses. An organisation in our area recently lost one million pounds which, thanks to the expertise of our dedicated team, we were able to recover.

“I will continue working nationally to ensure our response to all cyber-crime is fit for purpose, and we are on the forefront of tackling this complex and challenging threat.”

For information about protection against fraud and cyber crime, visit: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said:

“Improved connectivity can benefit rural communities greatly but this does not come without risks. There is a growing trend of criminals taking advantage of the trusting nature of people, which has been made easier through the internet.

“This is why I made dealing with cyber-dependent crime an explicit priority within my Police and Crime Plan, and have continually invested in raising public awareness and increasing the force’s capacity in this area during my term in office.

“It is a crime affecting people from all communities, and at my annual conference in March, I focussed on fraud and cyber-crime with the aim of raising awareness of the scale of the threat posed, detailing the numbers and types of people affected, and critically, understanding what preventative measures can be put in place to safeguard them.

“From 2017-2020, I am providing funding to deliver the KiVA project, aimed at raising awareness of bullying and cyber bullying in primary and secondary schools in Pembrokeshire, and have this year boosted the funding for the Digital and Cyber Crime Unit by £53,000 – money generated by the driver re-raining scheme and proceeds of crime – to expedite the process of mobile phone analysis to assist the force and bring offenders to justice more swiftly.

“I have also funded two specialist investigators to deal with both cyber-dependant and cyber-enabled crime, and a role specifically working to protect, and engage with, our communities and businesses.

“I am committed to continuing to support this area, which is demonstrated by my recent decision to maintain funding these specialist posts.”

Dyfed-Powys Police Force is the only force in the UK whohas cyber-dependent crime as an explicit priority.