Cyber crime officers from Bradford District Police will be delivering more than 80 safer internet sessions this week to mark International Safer Internet Day (Tuesday, 9 February).
Cyber crime officers from Bradford District Police will be delivering more than 80 safer internet sessions this week to mark International Safer Internet Day (Tuesday, 9 February).
The team of six PCSOs will be visiting more than 20 schools across the district until Friday, 12 February to raise awareness about the dangers of cyber crime.
The officers will be delivering 79 classroom sessions to more than 2,000 children in Years 3 to 6, as well as holding four parent workshops and seven group sessions for school staff and carers.
Their programme also includes a live web cast on Thursday, 11 February at 7pm, where the team will respond to questions from members of the public.
Since October, the officers have visited more than 75 schools across the area, teaching more than 6,200 children and adults about staying safe online.
They have also delivered workshops in a Sikh temple and to vulnerable children and their families.
The course gives children and adults an overview of the dangers of the virtual world and those posed by sending explicit selfies by text (sexting), as well as the misuse of social media and the impact it can have on the victim.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Hooks, who leads Serious and Organised Crime at Bradford District, said: "Cyber crime is a growing area and comes in many different forms, but the reality is that more than 90 per cent of it can be prevented.
"That's why it is so important for people to be aware of online threats and situations where you could become a victim.
"I would urge anyone who has concerns about cyber crime to make contact with the team, who are providing a valuable resource to internet users of all ages across the district."
West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, (pictured) said: "Tackling cyber crime is an issue I take very seriously and it is one of the main areas of focus. Prevention is key and the team in Bradford are doing some fantastic work in spreading the message.
“There are some relatively simple steps people can take to safeguard themselves online and Safer Internet Day really is about raising awareness of these."
Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Education, Skills and Culture, said: "I've had parents coming to me recently saying they are concerned about the vulnerability of children on the internet so I really welcome this initiative.
“The internet is a valuable learning tool but children and parents alike need to be aware that it can also be a dangerous place. This campaign highlights this and informs children, their parents and carers how to avoid the darker side of going online."
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