COPS have launched an information tool to help residents fight and avoid cybercrime in Surrey, writes Harry Buckley.


A cybercrime profile has been produced by the county's police and crime commissioner which builds a picture of the nature and the scale of online criminality in the county, aiming to give agencies, businesses and residents a better understanding of the threats and risks faced. 


It has been launched after research showed the area has the third highest rate of web users in the UK. While police forces across the country have seen a sharp rise in reports of crimes committed online, in Surrey that figure rose by 185 per cent between 2014 and 2015.


Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, David Munro, said: “Whilst the criminal perpetrating the offence often remains unseen, the lasting and often devastating effect on people's lives can sadly be all too apparent.


“We know that around 80 per cent of fraud and cybercrime is preventable, so it's crucial that our local residents and businesses know how to protect themselves online.


“This profile is the first ever attempt to bring information about cybercrime in Surrey into one place and I hope it provides a solid foundation, on which to build local response and action plans to help protect residents from this ever evolving area of crime.”


The profile, which is like an evidence-base, takes a detailed look at the nature of cybercrime in the county in relation to both children, young people and older adults. In addition, it features sections on reporting, preventative measures and perpetrators. 


The cybercrime profile can be downloaded here: https://cybersafesurrey.org/network/index.php?resources/cybercrime-profile-for-surrey.146/