Cybercrime to be controlled in the UK

[img_assist|nid=10367|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=100]The UK government and London's Metropolitan Police Service made an investment into the new project of a specialist police unit dedicated to fighting cybercrime and Internet fraud which is set to launch next year.

The Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeU) scheduled to be introduced next spring will deliver specialist officer training and coordinate cross-force initiatives to crack down on cybercrime and online offences.

A funding on the part of the government made up ?3.5 million with ?3.9 million funded by London's Metropolitan Police Service which is to run the unit as a national resource over the next three years. Industries are also appealed by the government to contribute to the program.

The functions of the new PCeU will not be the same as those of existing organizations such as Serious Organized Crime Agency's e-crime unit. Yet it will support the new National Fraud Reporting Centre as well as other agencies to capture international and organized crime gangs violating the rights of legitimate Internet users and businesses.

One survey conducted earlier this year shows that about 50% of Brits have experienced online ID fraud or know someone who has, while 78% say they are "worried" about ID theft.