Over 25 members of Tean and Checkley Pensioners Association were updated on cyber crime and policing in Staffordshire during a visit by Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis.
Mr Ellis talked with members during their meeting about how the nature of crime is changing and becoming more complex, including the increase of cyber-crime and the threats people now face online including the various types of email scams that people often receive.
As part of a cyber-crime awareness week launched in Staffordshire by the PCC’s office earlier this week, he highlighted the human cost with victims such as a 77-year-old former teacher from Stoke-on-Trent, who lost £147,000 to scammers over two years.
Mr Ellis also provided an update on the use of body-cams which were provided to all frontline police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables in Staffordshire over two years ago and explained how they have led to a reduction in the number of spurious complaints that are made against officers.
Whilst updating the pensioners Association, Mr Ellis told them about the Staffordshire Police Cadets, and that the scheme offers youngsters an alternative to other uniformed services where they can work towards recognized qualifications as well as learning to become better citizens.
Mr Ellis said: ‘I would like to thank Tean and Checkley Pensioners Association for inviting me to be their guest speaker, they gave a warm welcome and asked some thought provoking questions.
‘It was fantastic to talk to them about the work currently taking place in Staffordshire around cyber safety and the different forms cyber-crime can take. It was good to be able to give them examples of different types of cyber crime including email scams such as HMRC suggesting you are owed a tax refund.
‘I would also like to thank them for their generous donation of £50 towards the Staffordshire Police Cadets. The ongoing roll-out of cadet units across Staffordshire relies on community and business sponsorship so donations like this are extremely important to us.’
Margaret McGary, Social Secretary for Tean and Checkley Pensioners Association, said:
‘It has been most enlightening to everyone as we don’t always see what happens behind the scenes.
‘Mr Ellis was an excellent speaker who is clearly passionate about his job and everyone was most enthralled.’
Community groups can contact the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office on 01785 232270 or email pcc@staffordshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk to request a visit from the PCC. They can also write to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Staffordshire Police HQ (Block 9), Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0YY.
