Agenda item

Progress of Recommendations following the Overview and Scrutiny Review of Cybercrime

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships – Presented by the Strategic Manager – Partnerships, Transformation and Partnerships.

Minutes:

The Chairman reiterated his thanks to the Vice-Chairman, Councillor H Liddle who had chaired the scrutiny review in 2017/18 looking at the issue of cybercrime.  Councillor H Liddle explained that upon speaking to young people and professionals it was noted that many young people perceived cybercrime as a victimless crime and she had hoped that the review would help highlight that it was not victimless and had the potential to impact on many people’s lives.  She also thanked all the Officers involved for their hard work.

 

The Chairman asked the Strategic Manager – Partnerships, Andrea Petty to speak to Members as regards an update in relation to the recommendations from the review.

 

The Strategic Manager – Partnerships noted that there had been a number of areas of activity, including: an awareness video created by New College Durham students in relation to cybercrime; the Portfolio Holder, Councillor J Allen speaking at the Local Government Association Conference as regards the work undertaken in County Durham, with a number of other Local Authorities having taken a keen interest.

 

Councillors noted the partners involved in the work carried out in Durham included Durham Constabulary, the North East Serious Operations Unit (NESOU), the University of Sunderland and the Safe Durham Partnership (SDP), more specifically the now established Safer Cyber Task Group.  Members were reminded that within the Scrutiny Review, the was a focus session held with Police Cadets, helping to get a perspective from young people as regards how cybercrime was perceived.

 

The Strategic Manager – Partnerships referred Members to appendix two to the report setting out an update of progress against each of the recommendations from the Scrutiny Review.  In relation to the prevention of people becoming cybercrime offenders being an action of the SDP, this led to the creation of the Safer Cyber Task Group with an associated Action Plan.  Members also noted a number of activities in relation to this including: awareness raising via the NESOU and Watersons; community based initiatives involving the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner (PCVC), Durham Constabulary and AAPs; and utilising existing events and roadshows, such as BikeWise to help spread messages in relation to staying safe online.

 

Councillors noted the recommendation in terms of further focus sessions with Police Cadets and young people and added an initial session with Cadets and their parents had taken place and that further work was ongoing to develop a comprehensive programme in conjunction with the Cadets.

 

The Strategic Manager – Partnerships explained in terms of the third recommendation from the review, relating to research that had been conducted by the University of Bath looking at any potential links between autism and cybercrime, following enquires with the university as regards a final report, no further information had been forthcoming.

 

Members noted the work ongoing in terms of recommendation four, with Children and Young People’s Services taking an active role in helping keep the young people of County Durham safe, working with teachers and young people. 

 

 

It was noted that the Council were working with New College Durham to develop a new resource for use in schools, as well as the wider community, to promote a better understanding of the issues and highlight the consequences of hacking and potential benefits of pursuing a positive career utilising those types of computing skills.

 

In terms of the fifth recommendation from the Review, the Strategic Manager – Partnerships explained that the issue of cybercrime and cyber safety had been added to the Safety Carousel events at secondary schools and in the work of The Prince’s Trust.

 

Members were reminded of the sixth recommendation relating to the production of a video resource that could be shown, in conjunction with the resource made available by the National Crime Agency, to highlight to young people the risks associated with cybercrime.  It was explained that work with New College Durham students, supported by the Children and Young People’s Service, the Council’s Partnerships Team, Overview and Scrutiny and Durham Constabulary had resulted in a draft script which contained both positive and negative endings.  It was added that production would begin and a launch event was anticipated for April 2019.

 

The Strategic Manager – Partnerships noted that the seventh recommendation of the Review Group had been in reference to exploring opportunities for apprenticeships in IT/Cybersecurity.  It was noted that that six IT apprentices had been taken on by the Council, with one specialising in cyber security and that apprentice having given a very inspirational presentation to the SDP Safer Cyber Task Group.

 

The Chairman thanked the Strategic Manager – Partnerships and asked Members for their comments and questions.

 

Councillor D Stoker asked as regards further information in terms of the lack of response from the University of Bath.  The Strategic Manager – Partnerships noted several attempts had been made to contact the University and the relevant staff with no response.

 

Councillor J Charlton asked if cybercrime would be an item that would remain on the agenda for the Committee.  The Chairman noted that it would, with the review having shown that the was a need to help divert young people away from the negative aspects that such skills could lead to, and to help focus on highlighting the opportunities for people with those skills to become successful.

 

Councillor J Turnbull noted he had attended one of the “business breakfasts” organised as regards cybercrime and highlighted that it had been very positive, with a good deal of valuable information for Members.

 

The Chairman concluded by noting the positive outcomes of this review activity led by Cllr Liddle and the Committee and gave commendation to the Overview and Scrutiny Officer for his work in supporting the Committee with this review.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)                  That the report be noted.  

(ii)                 That a progress report on development of recommendations from the review be included within the Committee’s work programme. 

 

Supporting documents: