LAYING No one should be a victim of cyber crime
WITH DIVISIONAL COMMANDER CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT ALAN MURRAY
One of the big changes to policing in my 29 years in the business is the everincreasing threat posed by cyber or online crime.
This can take many forms including fraud, sexual exploitation and hate crime.
However, it can sometimes be something as simple as a misleading or inaccurate post on social media that can have potentially serious consequences.
Earlier this week members of the public reported a male walking in Renfrewshire stating that he might be behaving in an inappropriate manner in the presence of children.
This was thoroughly investigated by police and it was found that the man’s conduct was, beyond question, totally innocent.
However, a local woman decided to post unfounded and seemingly malicious allegations about the man on social media, causing him to fear for his safety.
She was subsequently charged with a communications offence and will have to account for her actions in court. I think it is important to understand that offensive or criminal behaviour on social media is just that – offensive and criminal.
I would also urge anyone who thinks they might have been a victim of online crime, be that racist, homophobic or other messages of a threatening or offensive nature, to contact us immediately.
You do not have to put up with it. Unfortunately,last week saw a rise in incidents involving vulnerable people in Renfrewshire.
On Thursday morning an elderly female was in her home in Great Hamilton Street, Paisley, when she heard a noise in her hall.
On going to investigate she discovered that someone, who had thankfully made off by then, had sneaked into her house and stolen a sizeable sum of money from her handbag.
On Friday morning, a man entered supported accommodation in the Seedhill area of Paisley and engaged a 90-year- old lady in conversation before stealing a three-figure sum in cash and making off.
We are doing everything we can to catch the individuals responsible for these odious and cowardly acts – but we do need your help.
Inspector Tracy Harkins, our Community Policing Inspector based at Paisley, has said: “These were particularly nasty incidents involving extremely vulnerable residents.
“Both ladies have been left very distressed as a result. I would like to ask the community to remain vigilant and report any be suspicious characters seen in or around the area, in particular at dwellings where an elderly or vulnerable person resides.”
If anyone has any information relating to either incident please contact Police Scotland on
101 or, alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555
1111, where anonymity can be maintained.