Update
by Inspector Declan Cahill
Minutes:
The committee received a verbal update from Chief Inspector Cahill of
South Wales Police in relation to cyber-crime.
Chief Inspector Cahill informed the committee that cyber
crime was a difficult area to address currently. Chief Inspector Cahill
reported that 188 cyber related crimes had taken place in Neath Port Talbot
between August 2017 and July 2018, and that 316 incidents had been reported to
Trading Standards. Chief Inspector Cahill stated that an officer had been
especially appointed to educate parents on the dangers of cyber
crime and to raise awareness. Chief Inspector Cahill stated that the
officer was responsible for meeting with victims and following up within three
to six months to ensure that they had put the advice received into practice and
were being vigilant while online. Chief Inspector Cahill explained that the
Police were trying to raise awareness of the risks by targeting parents and
students. Chief Inspector Cahill informed members that an awareness campaign
was planned for Black Friday utilising social media
platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Inspector Cahill stated that two
officers were currently covering Neath Port Talbot and Swansea and dealing with
cyber crime by going to care homes and supported
housing to educate elderly citizens. Chief Inspector Cahill informed the
committee that a lot of work was taking place to address the issue of cyber crime.
Members commented that it was important that the Authority worked with
the Police to push their messages to a wider audience via the Council’s own
communication channels. Chief Inspector Cahill explained that Operation
Signature was working in partnership with all responsible authorities to
circulate and distribute these messages as far possible.
Members queried whether fraud was the main issue in relation to cyber crime. Chief Inspector Cahill explained that bullying
and online grooming were also key issues as well as fraud. Officers explained
that cyber crime was going to be one of the Community
Safety Partnership’s main priorities for the coming year. Officers added that
the focus was on putting preventative measures in place, because once the crime
had been committed it was difficult to track down the perpetrators as many
operated from different countries from around the world.
Members questioned whether there had been any successful enforcements
following online fraud. Chief Inspector Cahill explained that it was difficult
to tell as online fraud was dealt with by banks and Action Fraud. Chief
Inspector Cahill added that the Police did have officers that investigated
online paedophile rings, but it could take years to
build up robust cases for these crimes and to identify individual perpetrators.
Members commented that the nature of the different types of cyber crimes being committed cross
cut many areas of public services. Members queried how joined up were the
services in responding to cyber crime. Chief
Inspector Cahill explained that work was in progress to ensure that there was a
more joined up approach from partners to cyber crime.
Chief Inspector Cahill stated that the Police were working with the banks and
were working with schools and the Education Directorate in the Council,
Members questioned whether the Police were engaging locally with
administrators of social media sites regarding racially motivated comments on
their forums. Chief Inspector Cahill explained that the Police monitor Facebook
and Twitter sites but did not have the power to remove content; however the
Police would make contact with any individual who committed a hate crime and
possibly take action where necessary. Members queried whether closed groups
were monitored. Chief Inspector confirmed that the Police did monitor closed
groups.
Members commented that they would be prepared to assist the Police by
placing any messages on cyber crime in the
newsletters to the electorate and by re-tweeting or forwarding any messages
from the Police on cyber crime on their individual
accounts.
Members queried whether the Police could trace perpetrators IP
addresses. Chief Inspector Cahill stated that this was within the Police’s
ability.
Following scrutiny, the committee noted the update from Chief Inspector
Cahill.