Government warnings over Manchester's cyber crime
Less than a third of people are taking the right precautions
Less than a third of people across our region are taking precautions when it comes to cybercrime.
New statistics from the government reveal that around 32% of people in the North West don't take the neccessary precautions when it comes to online scams.
That's compared to almost 90% of people who take home security seriously.
Latest figures show that cyber crime was one of the most common offences committed in 2016, with an estimated 2 million incidents, compared to 686,000 domestic burglary offences.
People are being advised to use at least three random words on their passwords and to download the latest software in a bid to protect themselves from online fraudsters.
Security Minister, Ben Wallace said: “The latest crime statistics from the Office for National Statistics clearly demonstrate how crime is changing and the way in which criminals are targeting people online.
This Government is already acting to tackle the perpetrators, taking world-leading action to stamp out cyber crime, investing £1.9 billion in cyber security.
But it is also important that we continue to encourage members of the public to take simple steps to protect themselves from cyber criminals, just as they would take precautions to secure their home.”