West Yorkshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner mark Safer Internet Day

Monday 10th February 2020

Cyber specialists from West Yorkshire Police are supporting a global initiative which aims to promote a better internet.

Safer Internet Day is an annual event held across the world – this year on Tuesday 11 February.

And the Force is going a step further – by promoting the message of a better internet through a series of events across the entire week.

From today - Monday 10 February - the Force will issue a short video every day (Monday to Friday) offering helpful advice to avoid cyber crime.

Experts will also be on hand at key locations across West Yorkshire to offer help and advice in person.

Detective Inspector Dan Tillett is the cyber crime lead for the Force. He said: “Our work to protect people against cybercrime is constantly ongoing but Safer Internet Day provides a great opportunity to help spread the message.

“Knowledge is vital in helping to reduce your chances of being a victim of cyber crime and we wholeheartedly support Safer Internet Day and the ideals behind it.”

• In Bradford members of the Cyber PCSO Team will be delivering various sessions throughout the week.
• There will be awareness inputs across Calderdale – some will be held at schools with other events planned at the Tesco stores in Sowerby Bridge and Brighouse (10am – 12pm and 1230pm – 230pm respectively) – both tomorrow (Tuesday).
• In Kirklees there will be an awareness stall at Kirklees College on Tuesday 11 February with college staff helping out.
• In Leeds the following awareness events are planned on 11 February
  Sainsbury’s Moor Allerton Centre - 1100-1400hrs
  Trinity Centre – 1000am – 1500hrs
  Leeds City College – City – 1000am onwards
  White Rose – 1000 – 1500hrs
• In Wakefield there will be an online safety stall at the town hall from 1000am (finishing at 3pm) on Tuesday as well as talks by specially trained PCSOs within schools. Please

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: “Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the fact that the vast majority of cyber crime is preventable. All the information you need to keep you and your loved ones safe is available by getting in touch with us or by linking in to one of the events West Yorkshire Police and our partners are running throughout the day.

"Tackling cyber crime and keeping our communities safe is one of my key priorities and I have previously invested funding to help create a dedicated Cyber Crime Unit to enhance West Yorkshire Police’s ability to combat this type of crime.

“Prevention is better than the cure, so I would urge that Safer Internet Day is used to speak to your loved ones, or anyone you feel may be vulnerable, to make sure they are taking the proper precautions online against possible perpetrators, and to continue those conversations on a regular basis.”

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit has partnered with the Cyber Helpline to provide residents with 24/7 support to deal with the crime.

The pilot scheme ensures that all victims of cyber-crime in the region will have free access to cyber security experts if they feel they have been a victim of cyber crime.

An intelligent chatbot now sits on the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit website which individuals can used to have their issue diagnosed and receive immediate advice on what they should do next. The chatbot can also connect the victim to a team of volunteer cyber security experts who will work with the victim to help them understand, contain, recover and learn from their issue.

Click here to use the chatbot