A police-led initiative has been launched to help businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire protect themselves against cybercrime.

The new South West Cyber Resilience Centre is part of a network of centres being established across England and Wales to provide businesses with a free level of support, and an affordable way to access more bespoke cyber security services and consultancy.

A fraud prevention scheme that was piloted in Wiltshire has prevented £19 million worth of scams in the first half of 2020.

The Banking Protocol scheme enables bank branch staff to alert their local police force when they suspect a customer is being scammed – especially when they ask to withdraw unusually large amounts of money.

Wiltshire Police have issued a warning to businesses taking staff meetings and networking events online to be aware of a phenomenon known as Zoom-bombing.

Incidents take their name from the popular video networking app Zoom and incidents of unwanted guests hijacking the video conference.

Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police have thanked businesses and individuals in the county that answered a plea for vital PPE gear.

The Personal Protective Equipment is needed to protect key workers from coronavirus.

Wiltshire Police have reminded firms whose staff are relocating from business premises to homes to take extra security steps against cybercriminals.

“Due to the advancement of the coronavirus and subsequent advice from the Government, employees are increasingly encouraged to work from home or remotely, where possible,” says the force’s cybercrime unit.

Employees at some of Swindon’s biggest firms are to be trained in helping victims of domestic abuse in their workplaces.

Ambassadors from companies including GWR, Network Rail, UKRI, Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire Police, OMG Hair & Beauty, Business West, Wilts & Dorset Fire and Rescue, Royds Withy King, and Zurich will be paired with support workers from Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service, formerly Swindon Women’s Aid.