Warning as e-crime centre opened

Lord Toby Harris, chairman of the National Trading Standards Board and member of both the House of Lords Select Committee on Personal Internet Security and the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy formally opened the unit, which is hosted by North Yorkshire County Council, yesterday.

The National Trading Standards e-crime centre’s digital evidence unit (DEU) which was set up earlier this year, has recently doubled in size to increase consumer protection.

The lab has been extended to accommodate four more forensic analysts and a forensic technician, bringing the new e-crime unit’s strength up from five to nine forensic staff, offering support nationwide.

New staff based in the county council DEU will work closely with e-crime enforcement officers in York, hosted by York Council.

Lord Harris said: “The National Trading Standards Board is determined to crack down on scammers who take advantage of the internet, email and text messaging to rip-off UK consumers.

“The investment in the centre will ensure the right resources are in place to tackle the growing threat of e-crime.

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire’s executive member for trading standards said: “This is great news both for jobs in North Yorkshire and in the fight against e-crime.

“We are delighted that North Yorkshire plays such a vital role in helping trading standards services nationally to tackle online consumer and business fraud which costs UK consumers at least £3.5bn each year.”

Experts have warned that more rogue traders and internet fraudsters are aggressively exploiting the convenience and deregulated nature of the internet.