Cyber-crime in Dyfed Powys to be tackled by a new Specialist Police Unit

Dyfed Powys Police has invested in new resources and brought together specialists to create a Unit to target cyber-crime. The new Digital Communications and Cyber Crime Unit will have the capability to respond in fast time to rapidly changing internet and associated technology threats and collaborate with partners including the Regional Cyber Crime Unit to reduce cyber and cyber-enabled crime.

Detective Superintendent Aled Davies, Criminal Investigation Department said:

“It is well documented that the changing digital environment has offered new opportunities for criminals to exploit. It is essential that we combine force knowledge and investigative assets to target cyber-crime.

“The unit, consisting of detectives, high tech forensic investigators, analysts and researchers, will provide Dyfed Powys Police with a powerful asset which will give significant support to major crime and intelligence operations, as well as supporting front line officers to obtain the best evidence in cases they are investigating.

“The team will look to improve on both the public and business awareness of cyber-crime and what they can do to protect themselves from cyber criminals.

“We are also in the process of enhancing our ability to deal with cyber-crime through the development of new training, which will provide officers with the capability to better understand, investigate and disrupt cyber-crime.”

Recent statistics published by GOV.UK indicate that 81% of large corporations and 60% of small businesses reported a cyber-breach in 2013.

Detective Superintendent Davies added:

“A significant amount of cyber-crime is preventable; we are actively encouraging consumers and businesses to ensure that they have the latest security software installed on their computer to browse safely online. By taking basic crime prevention steps people can significantly reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime on-line.”

Always:-

• Delete suspicious emails and social media messages without clicking on links.
• Install up-to-date antivirus security software
• Keep your computer up-to-date with the latest software patches and updates.
• Be security-conscious on social media sites: log out when you’re done and don’t connect to people you don’t know.
• Regularly change and use strong passwords and don’t share them with anyone.
• Be careful about what you share online – don’t give away more personal information than you need to on social media sites and back up important files and media content to safe and secure storage solutions i.e. external hard drive/ trusted cloud storage

The following websites also provide useful advice

• www.getsafeonline.org : all-encompassing advice
• www.thinkuknow.co.uk : advice for all age groups and for parents and carers
• www.ecrimewales.com (business advice)
• www.actionfraud.police.uk/support_for_you : fraud advice both prevention and to report