Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to update the Panel on work being undertaken by the Police and Crime Commissioner to help prevent Surrey residents and businesses becoming victims of cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled crime.

Key points raised during the discussions:

·           The Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) introduced the report stressing the need to take a robust approach to tackling the growing problem of cyber crime. Statistics were quoted which highlight the scale and prevalence of cyber crime in Surrey and the effect that it can have on residents and businesses in the county. The Panel was advised that the decision has been taken by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to create a dedicated Cyber Crime Prevention team and that the creation of this unit builds on work already undertaken by Surrey Police to educate young people on the dangers of cyber crime including in Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools to tackle the growing issue of online bullying. The DPCC also emphasised the importance of educating children in online safety not just for their own protection but also as because they will often pass on what they have learned to their parents.

·         Members inquired about the funding for the Cyber Crime unit and queried why the new team is being funded by money originally allocated to the Surrey Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT). The DPPC indicated that £430,000 from the DAAT became available to Surrey Police following the dismantling of the Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). A substantial portion of this funding has been given to the Health and Wellbeing Board but that it was felt that the remaining funds would be well-used in setting up a Cyber Crime Prevention team.

·         The Panel suggested that the volume of cyber crime taking place necessitates a coordinated national response and that it would be difficult for the OPCC to operate an effective cyber crime unit. Panel members further highlighted that, with resources already stretched, establishing a dedicated cyber crime unit would put further strain on these limited resources. The DPCC advised that much of the unit’s work will be educating residents and businesses on how to avoid falling victim to online criminals. It is anticipated that working in conjunction with Surrey Police’s existing cyber crime unit as well as with private and public sector partners, a small amount of investment from the OPCC could dramatically reduce the number of people who become victims of cyber crimes due to the fact that 80% of cyber crimes can be prevented simply by individuals taking more care when they are online. The DPCC also stressed that the police have a duty to investigate all crimes and that by creating a dedicated cyber crime unit Surrey Police will be able to carry out investigations, work to recoup money for victims who have been defrauded and generally support victims of cyber crime.

·         Panel members asked whether publishing data on the number of cyber crimes in Surrey as part of the main crime statistics would provide a more accurate picture of the scale of crime in the county. The DPCC advised the Panel that the decision has been taken to report cyber crime data separately from traditional crime statistics as it would skew crime statistics and result in a disproportional amount of police time and resource being dedicated to investigating cyber crimes.

·         The Panel queried whether the Cyber Crime Prevention team will be formally attached to the OPCC or to Surrey Police as much of the activity that the unit will undertake sounds like police work. The DPCC advised the Panel that the unit was attached to the OPCC in order to develop a sustainable partnership effort by working with businesses, the private sector and other partners to educate residents on how to stay safe online.

·         Concern was expressed by some Panel members that the issue of cyber crime is being exaggerated. In particular, it was highlighted that cyber crime covers a whole range of offences including spam emails which are annoying but shouldn’t take up police time. The DPCC was asked whether more clarity should be provided on what crimes will be tackled to ensure that more serious offences are given priority and to put specific indicators in place to measure the success of the team. The DPCC highlighted the array of cyber crimes taking place in the County which range from fraud to online grooming and the importance of tackling these. It was further advised that success of the unit can be assessed by measures through initiatives such as the online safety in schools programme and the 10,500 students who are now aware of the dangers of surfing the net.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.    The Panel noted the report.

ACTIONS/ FURTHER INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED:

1.    The Panel requested a follow up report on the work of the Cyber Crime Prevention team at a future meeting of the Panel.

PANEL NEXT STEPS:

            None