Online Crime: The Warwickshire story 2017

WITH record numbers falling victim to online crime, the loss of nearly £9m by Warwickshire adults is among the shocking findings of the second cyber crime survey, emphasising how important it is for all residents to take charge of their online safety before it’s too late.

Warwickshire County Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner launched their report into the findings of the second cyber crime survey for Warwickshire, which was completed by record number of Warwickshire respondents in late 2016.

The key findings of this survey were:

1. There have been nearly 15,000 successful phishing scams in Warwickshire in the last 12 months.

2. Over 5,500 residents have been a victim of an online romance scam.

3. 9,900 have been victim of identity fraud.

4. 30,000 fell victim to viruses and malware.

5. Over 6,000 online hate crimes.

6. Other online fraud and theft equates to a further 21,500 victims.

While the biggest impact reported by respondents was psychological and emotional, it is estimated that at least £8,848,300 has been lost by Warwickshire adults as a result of cyber crime, which equates to every adult in the county losing just over £20.

In terms of awareness of the risks posed to residents by their activity online, only 59 per cent of respondents felt they were at risk when using online services. However, 87 per cent felt either reasonably or very confident that they knew how to protect themselves online and only 1 per cent of respondents had no idea how to protect themselves.

Compared to the first cyber crime survey in 2015, while a higher proportion of the public feel at risk online (44 per cent in 2015, compared to 59 per cent now), fewer people have no idea how they can protect themselves online (2.4 per cent in 2015, compared to 1 per cent now).

Cllr Howard Roberts, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for Community Safety, said: “The results of the second cyber crime survey should be a wake-up call to all Warwickshire residents to start taking their cyber security seriously. As we conduct more of our lives in the online sphere, the risks posed to us all will increase exponentially year-on-year.”

Find out cyber crime in Warwickshire and how to protect yourself by visiting the new website with handy tips, tricks and videos relating to online safety: www.cybersafewarwickshire.com