Internet crime: North sees 757 cases in past year

Just under 760 internet crimes were committed in the North in the past year, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Harassment and fraud were the most common offences, but sex crimes, threats to kill and blackmail scams were also carried out.

PSNI det chief inspector Douglas Grant said: “Between 1st October 2013 and 30th September 2014, police have recorded 757 offences committed in full or in part through a computer, computer network or other computer enabled device.

“The two largest offences were harassment and fraud. There were 48 involving obscene publications and 40 offences of a sexual nature, 59 threats to kill and 11 reports of blackmail.”

Speaking about the victim age profiles, the chief inspector said 129 were aged under 19 and 195 between 20 and 29. Eleven victims were over 70 years.

Pop-up shop

The PSNI revealed the cybercrime figures as it announced a new pop-up shop to provide advice for staying safe on the internet.

The temporary facility in Belfast city centre will be staffed by experts from the banking, computer security and consumer sectors.

It will open at the City Business Hub in Castle Lane on Friday and Saturday between 10am and 4pm. It is being managed by the PSNI and the safety initiative Get Safe Online.

Reuters