A pilot project has been launched by police in the north of England to help small businesses combat e-crime.
The web site – www.yorkshire-safe.org – is a regional pilot and will eventually be rolled out across England and Europe.
The site also features online learning modules to support small businesses in developing their own secure systems.
Humberside chief constable Tim Hollis says e-crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated and requires new methods of policing.
'Tackling this issue requires a joined-up approach, which is why I am thrilled that the four police forces in Yorkshire are working together, alongside regional and national organisations to respond to this growing problem,' Hollis said. 'This is a model for the way that a collaborative approach in policing can make a real difference.'
The project features an online tool that allows businesses to check the security of their systems, as well as offering hints and tips on how to avoid falling prey to the growing wave of cyber-crime.
Partners include the four Yorkshire police forces, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Sheffield Hallam University, the Department of Trade and Industry, Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yorkshire Forward and People United Against Crime.
The site is multi-lingual and it will be possible to translate it into German, Spanish, French and Italian, ready for its European launch.
Dr Babak Akghar, reader in informatics at Sheffield Hallam University and technical leader of the project said: 'Small businesses are keen to take ad vantages of everything that online business has to offer, but often don't know how to protect their businesses from the risks that this opens up.'
'However, with this new site they will be able to arm themselves with the latest facts on e-security and learn about the security implications of e-busines,' he said.
Meredydd Hughes, chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, one of the forces involved with the project, says e-crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated and requires new methods of policing.
'Tackling this issue requires a joined up approach, which is why I am thrilled that the four police forces in Yorkshire are working together, alongside regional and national organisations to respond to this growing problem. This is a model for the way that a collaborative approach in policing can make a real difference,' he said.
Bill Hughes, director general of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, said that cyber-crime is now routinely used by organised criminals as a way of laundering money, stealing identities and committing fraud.
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