West Midlands, Warwickshire, West Mercia and Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have launched their second annual cyber crime survey.
The PCCs say that results of the survey will be used to assess the impact online crime is having around the region and what the police, councils, businesses and individuals can do to stop it. Last year’s survey found that:
– More than half of respondents were targeted by phishing scams, with one in ten going on to become victims.
– One in five people who spend more than seven hours a day online will become a victim of cyber crime.
– As age increases, knowledge of online crime risks reduces slightly, while the feeling of being at risk increases significantly.
– Under 18s are the age group most targeted for online harassment or bullying with female respondents targeted twice as much as males.
– Nearly one third of parents have neither applied online restrictions nor spoken to their children about internet safety.
– 4pc of respondents have no idea how to protect themselves online.
– “I did not think anyone could help” was the number one reason for not reporting cyber crime, followed by “did not know who to report it to”.
David Jamieson said: “I am pleased we are coming together to tackle this issue. Crime is changing not falling and cyber crime is an increasingly important issue that affects individuals and businesses alike. As well as getting a better picture of how it impacts people across the region we also will be promoting preventative measures that in many cases will protect people from cyber crime.
“My Assistant Commissioner Ashley Bertie heads up cyber crime in the West Midlands force area and over the coming months he will be leading on a series of events to help individuals and businesses protect themselves online.”
Take part in the second annual cyber crime survey visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RegionalCyber16.
