Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Bradley and Alberto Costa

Monday 13th June 2016 Commons Chamber

[Alberto Costa (South Leicestershire) (Con)]

10. What steps the Government are taking to tackle cybercrime.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Karen Bradley)]

This Government take the threat of cybercrime very seriously, which is why, through the national cyber-security programme, we invested more than £90 million during the previous Parliament to build specialist capabilities and improve the law enforcement response at local, regional and national levels, and we will continue to invest. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced last November, this Government have committed to spending £1.9 billion on cyber-security, which includes tackling cybercrime, over the next five years.

[Alberto Costa]

Leicestershire police, whose hard-working officers I shadowed on patrol last Friday, provide a range of cybercrime information on their website. Does my hon. Friend agree that effective partnership between the police and other agencies is key to maintaining adequate defences against the growing and real threats that cybercrime poses to our society?

[Karen Bradley]

My hon. Friend makes an incredibly important point. It is vital that we work with the police and others. Leicestershire police are a shining example of proactive working to ensure that people understand the threats, understand the risks and understand how to stay safe online.