Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has reiterated his commitment to addressing the pressing issue of business crime as he convened a round table with Lancashire’s Chamber of Commerce, alongside representatives from his Office and Lancashire Constabulary. His Office led the round table at County Hall, Preston, engaging in vital discussions about the impact of crime on businesses across the region. The Commissioner had invited representatives from each of Lancashire’s Chamber of Commerce, where it was emphasised that tackling business and retail crime is a key priority in his Police and Crime Plan, which is currently in development. The round table provided an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences and insights, fostering improved relationships between businesses and the police. This collaborative approach is crucial in addressing the challenges businesses face and working together to find effective solutions. Attendees also discussed Op Vulture, Lancashire Constabulary’s response to retail crime, tackling hotspot areas and strengthening relationships between officers and the community they serve, which is already having some positive impact on shoplifting and other crimes impacting retailers. Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said: “I am committed to ensuring that the public’s voice is heard in policing matters, and today’s round table was an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to share the issues businesses in Lancashire are facing, and how we can work together to address them. “The top concerns from businesses, their employees, and customers, largely focus on anti-social behaviour and business crime. It’s clear that a proactive response to these issues is needed, and improved relationships between businesses and the police are at the heart of this. Meetings like today really do make a difference. “I am fully backing Lancashire Constabulary’s efforts to deliver an improved response to business crime, through Op Vulture and Op Centurion amongst others, sending a clear message to criminals that they will be caught and prosecuted, irrespective of the scale of their offences. “As Commissioner, making Lancashire a safer place to live and work is my primary aim. This can only be achieved through strong leadership, a robust police force, and effective deterrents.”

Data from Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, shows that 22,530 people reported that their online accounts had been hacked in 2023, with victims losing a total of £1.3 million.

How are accounts hacked?

On-platform chain hacking

This is when a fraudster gains control of an account and begins to impersonate the legitimate owner. The goal is to convince people to reveal authentication codes that are sent to them via text. Many victims of this type of hacking believe it’s a friend messaging them, however the shared code was associated with their own account and the impersonator can now use it to access their account. Usually when an account is taken over, fraudsters monetise control of the account via the promotion of various fraudulent schemes, while impersonating the original account owner. 

Leaked passwords and phishing

The other predominant method of hacking reported is leaked information used from data breaches, such as leaked passwords, or account details gained via phishing scams. This becomes prevalent as people often use the same password for multiple accounts, so a leaked password from one website can leave many of their online accounts vulnerable to hacking. 

How to secure your accounts 

·  Use a strong and different password for your email and social media accounts. Your email and social media passwords should be strong and different from all your other passwords. Combining three random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack.

·  Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) for your email and social media accounts. 2-Step Verification (2SV) gives you twice the protection so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can’t access your email or social media account. 2SV works by asking for more information to prove your identity. For example, getting a code sent to your phone when you sign in using a new device or change settings such as your password. You won’t be asked for this every time you check your email or social media.

If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

If you receive a suspicious email, you can report it by forwarding the email to: [email protected].

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: Gov.uk/stopthinkfraud

As part of the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) Lancashire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden have today announced a further eight areas set to benefit from additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lancashire.

 

Home Office funding secured by the Commissioner already funds additional foot patrols in six Lancashire districts as part of Op Centurion, Lancashire Constabulary’s targeted operation to crack down on ASB and deliver on Mr Snowden’s Fighting Crime Plan priority of getting tough on anti-social behaviour.

 

This approach is now being rolled out across the county meaning that all of Lancashire’s districts benefit from extra resources targeting areas identified as ASB hotspots, with additional Op Centurion patrols now also targeting areas within Darwen, St Annes, Morecambe, Clitheroe, Colne, Bacup, Leyland and Skelmersdale.

 

The operation is led by the Constabulary’s local neighbourhood teams, supported by the newly established ASB Prevention and Problem-Solving Command; a team of specialist officers including civil enforcement, designing-out crime and business and rural crime experts, funded by the Commissioner.

 

The team works with neighbourhood police officers, councils, housing associations and key partners throughout Lancashire to shut down drug dens, seize nuisance bikes and secure arrests for those involved in a variety of offences from drug dealing to criminal damage.

 

As part of the operation, members of the public are also be encouraged to report incidents of ASB to the relevant organisation, details of which can be found on a new website: LancashireTacklingASB.co.uk