Agenda item

11.15am

The report of the PCC provides detail of a service plan which has been created to define and focus the priorities and strategies for Thames Valley Police and the Regional Cyber Crime Units (CCU). This plan seeks to align service delivery based on the key strands of the Government’s National Cyber Strategy 2022 and the force priorities for Thames Valley Police as detailed within the Thames Valley Police Strategic Plan 2019/2020.

The PCC submitted a report which provided details on cyber and digital investigation and intelligence.

The PCC explained that there was a significant overlap in this area for TVP and regionally. Reference was made to a service plan which had been created to define and focus the priorities and strategies for Thames Valley Police and the Regional Cyber Crime Units (CCU). The plan sought to align service delivery based on the key strands of the Government’s National Cyber Strategy 2022 and TVP force priorities as detailed within the Thames Valley Police Strategic Plan 2019/2020.

Members’ Questions

(1)  Reference was made to a digital intelligence investigation team and the PCC was asked how was he and the Chief Constable ensuring these specialists were retained within the force and not recruited by other forces or the private sector?

[The PCC replied that this was the same for other areas of the force and it was important that risks of losing staff was mitigated against. It was relatively easier to manage through the discrete regional unit as there were opportunities for career progression.

The PCC also referred to the need to look at other specialists in cybercrime who could help the force. Using volunteers and special constables whose expertise TVP could harness to benefit policing and the Thames Valley.]

(2)  The PCC was asked whether the cyber work which was being carried out by TVP was promoted to residents to offer reassurance and confidence in the work which is being done to prevent cybercrime. Also, what was the PCC doing to advise organisations and educate the community on the cybercrime risks?

[The PCC replied that it was important to get the message out there that policing was not just about police visibility as people were more likely to be victims of cybercrime than for example, robbery. Crimes such as romance scams could be very damaging for the victim; financially and psychologically.

It was important that messages were put out there, including the risks involved and how important it was for people to choose and change passwords which would make it more difficult for scammers.

The Cyber Resilient Centre for the southeast was engaging with businesses and going into businesses, particularly smaller businesses, to test resilience to cyber-attacks.]

(3)  A Member referred to the national alarm which would be sounding on mobile phones on 23 April, 2023 and the risks this posed for domestic abuse victims. The PCC was asked what was TVP doing to allay the fears of people who will not be able to turn off their mobile phones?

[The PCC said that this was an important point and that Victims First would be offering advice, however, it was inevitable that not everyone could be contacted.]

(4)  The PCC was asked what activities were the Dark Web Team looking at?

[The PCC replied there would be a separate team that would do the undercover on-line element, but there was an overlap between this team and the Dark Web Team. Child abuse investigations were carried out discretely, and officers who carried out these duties required psychological support which was put in place. The cyber team were looking at the drugs market and economic crime but would have links with the other teams.]

RESOLVED – That the report of the PCC and the information provided at the meeting be noted.