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Cyber Crime

What is Cyber Crime?

Locally, cyber crime is viewed as any crime committed, in full or in part, via a computer, network, or another computer enabled device.

E-Learning Modules

To access our e-learning modules, please visit http://warwickshire.learningpool.com/

WFW MR052 Cyber Crime and Cyber Security

This e-learning encourages users to become more aware of the risks which occur online. With Cyber Crime now the biggest crime in the UK, it is important to be aware of how we can all reduce our risk in our personal lives. Completing this module will give you an understanding of what Cyber Crime is, the multitude of risks experienced online, and information on how to minimise these in your personal life. In addition to this, advice and support resources will be signposted to throughout.

For more information on how to access this e-learning, please visit https://safeinwarwickshire.com/elearning/.

Warwickshire Cyber Crime Survey

In 2019 Warwickshire County Council, in partnership with the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, launched the third Cyber Crime survey for Warwickshire. This  survey sought to examine how the picture has changed across Warwickshire since the previous survey was published in 2017, and whether residents are more aware of the dangers that can be posed online and the things that they are able to do to minimise these risks. However, given the low volume of respondents, weighting could not be applied to the results. The headline analysis of the Warwickshire results for the previous survey in 2017 can be found here.

Cyber Crime Advisor Posts

Two Cyber Crime Advisors were recruited to Warwickshire County Council using funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Cyber Crime Advisors will be responsible for delivering the Warwickshire Cyber Crime Action Plan on behalf of Warwickshire community safety partners. Their work will be countywide, with a focus on delivering initiatives to prevent and reduce risk of harm from cyber crimes to individuals. By mapping the scope of the issues across Warwickshire, the Advisors will be able to establish the key messages for various groups of residents, in order to successfully raise the awareness of cyber crime. Some initiatives to achieve these goals include the training of  Victim Support Cyber Champions, who will be able to offer practical as well as emotional support to any victim of Cyber Crime.

Prevent Online Grooming: Keeping Your Family Safe (POG Training)

The 2 hour-session is delivered alongside Warwickshire County council’s Prevent Officer to teachers, parents, carers and youth professionals around how young people can be groomed online. The session discusses the ways in which young people can be groomed and radicalised online and covers what signs there may be that a child/young person is being groomed, information on the latest social media apps and gaming trends to be aware of, an insight into the dark web, how groomers use social media to radicalise young people and help and support that is available.   

Online Safety for Young People

The Cyber Crime Advisors also deliver an Online Safety for Young People presentation. The session focuses on safety on social media, online gaming and covers privacy settings, location sharing settings, passwords, image based sexual abuse (where age appropriate), and the risks of online grooming. The session also signposts where cyber-crimes are reported as well as where young people can seek further guidance and support.  

General Cyber Safety Training

The Cyber Crime Advisors deliver General Cyber Safety training that cover all aspects of online safety and discusses cyber- crime that is most prevalent in Warwickshire. This training can last for up to 1 hour and includes areas such as what is cyber-crime, how to spot phishing emails, viruses, phone scams, online banking, contactless cards, passwords, social media safety, top ten tips and where to report to and seek support. 

All training delivered is free of charge. 

For further information, please contact: 

joepatterson@warwickshire.gov.uk

Cyber Champions Schemes 

Due to the current situation regarding COVID-19 the Cyber Champions scheme is currently under review, however, Cyber Safe wish to continue to train young people across the county as Youth Champions. These individuals will be able to assist peers and family with any cyber issue they may experience and have the knowledge of what relevant advice to give, and where they can signpost individuals too. Currently, Police Cadets and youth clubs in the county have been trained to Youth Champion certification. 

We are always on the lookout for members of the community of all ages and backgrounds (whether a cyber novice or expert) to become Champions. There is no formal requirement on our Champions to do anything, but some examples of what you can do include: 

– giving advice to a friend or family 

– sharing articles on social media about how to keep safe 

– help educate groups you work with on cyber crime 

Cyber Crime Reporting

The non-emergency Police number (101) can be used to report certain types of online crimes (bullying, harassment, hate crime, revenge porn, stalking), or if there is a threat of physical harm.

Action Fraud should be contacted for any fraud or scam an individual falls victim to.

Warwickshire Trading Standards can be contacted for any consumer related cyber crime.

Crimestoppers can be used to report any cyber crime anonymously.

Report Hate Now can be used to report Hate Crime, whether it takes place online or offline. The site can be used to report to the Police and/or the Hate Crime Partnership.

Further information about where you can report specific cyber crimes can be found on the Cyber Safe Warwickshire website.

Follow Cyber Safe Warwickshire on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.

Useful Resources

Get Safe Online is the UK’s leading source of factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety. Their website offers advice on how you can protect yourself, your computers and devices, and your business against the likes of fraud, identity theft, viruses and other potential online problems.

Internet Matters is a site for parents and professionals to stay up to date on the latest apps used by young people, and issues relating to these. It also provides a service where you can get a simple step-by-step guide to implementing age appropriate parental controls on specific devices in your home.

AgeUK offer advice to older people about online safety, particularly focussing on consumer advice to stay safe when shopping online, holiday fraud, and other scams which are targeted to older individuals. The site also contains general information about how to stay safe online.

Support If You Are Affected By Cyber Crime

Victim Support offers support for victims of any crime, including Cyber Crime.

You&Co is Victim Support’s youth programme where young people can seek help and advice on all crime related issues.

The Revenge Porn Helpline gives advice for revenge porn victims. It is also important to report Revenge Porn to the Police.

The National Stalking Helpline offers advice and support for stalking victims.

Warwickshire CSE Something’s Not Right is Warwickshire’s campaign to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation. The campaign has been developed by Warwickshire’s multi-agency sexual exploitation team; for more information on who is involved click here.

Warwickshire Cyber Scam Updates

2022 August Cyber Scam Newsletter

2022 February Scam Newsletter

2021 December Scam Newsletter

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