The UK police capability to combat the growing threat of cyber crime was strengthened today as ACPO announced the opening of three regional policing e-crime hubs.
The new hubs in Yorkshire and the Humber, the Northwest and in East Midlands were launched today at the ACPO e-crime conference in Sheffield.
They will work alongside the Metropolitan Police Centre e-crime Unit which was formed in October 2008 to deal with national online security.
Cyber crime has been identified in the National Security Risk Assessment as a ‘tier one’ threat, and the government has granted £30m over four years to improve national capability to investigate and combat it.
Structured response
ACPO lead on e-crime Deputy Assistant Commissioner Janet Williams said: “The Government has acknowledged a need to collaborate and provide a structured response to the cyber security of the UK and these three additional policing units are going to play a critical role in our ability to combat the threat. It is anticipated the hubs will make a significant contribution to the national harm reduction target of £504m. In the first six months of the new funding period alone we have already been able to show a reduction of £140m with our existing capability.
“While a training period is required before the hubs are fully functional they will undoubtedly provide an enhanced ability to investigate this fast growing area of crime and provide an improved internet investigation capability."
James Brokenshire Minister for Crime and Security said: “Cyber crime is a threat locally and nationally, and every police force in the country has to deal with its impact on people and businesses in their area.
“As well as leading the fight in their regions, these units mark a significant step forward in developing a national response to cyber crime, which will be driven by the new National Crime Agency.
“The government has committed £650million in the fight against e-crime.”