Police apply anti-terror
measures to cybercrime
Regional squads will be developed, in response
to claims that the police must do more to combat online
crime
Online crime is moving up the police
agenda, with proposals for forces to set up regional
''cybercrime'' squads similar to those dealing with
anti-terror operations, reports the FT.
The paper adds that senior officers are sensitive to
claims they are not doing enough to combat three million
annual cases of online crime and the plans are being
''actively pursued'' by the Association of Chief Police
Officers.
Online fraud worldwide is now an industry worth more
than GBP50 billion a year. Although there is no agreed
figure for the UK, hackers have attacked important services
and businesses in this country. Three London hospitals
have come under attack and one police force outside
London had its system shut down for five days.
The national ''e-crime strategy'' includes specialist
regional police squads and plans to train police officers
in dealing with complaints of cybercrime. However, the
initiative needs to be ratified by the association's
senior members.
Senior officers admit that they have failed so far
to devise a coherent means to tackle online criminals.
Efforts are hampered by a lack of co-ordination between
forces and a lack of expertise among officers.
The strategy will be overseen by Janet Williams, head
of intelligence and covert policing at the Metropolitan
Police, who has also taken the lead on Scotland Yard's
e-crime unit.
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