Cyber Helpline

Emma Best AM moved and Andrew Boff AM seconded the following budget related motion:

“This Assembly recognises that fraud, particularly cyber-crime, is the fastest growing crime type in London and across the UK, with a 72 percent year on year increase in cases across the capital and half of all crimes committed in England and Wales.

This Assembly believes that cyber-crime can have devastating consequences for Londoners, with many losing thousands of pounds to scammers.

This Assembly notes that The Cyber Helpline has successfully opened 2,060 London cases, and that 80,000 Londoners have accessed its online self-help advice.

This Assembly further notes that cyber-crime is not only financial in nature but also includes issues specifically targeting women and girls, such as revenge porn and cyberstalking, where victims need support to protect their digital identity.

This Assembly highlights that Londoners are most concerned about robbery, knife crime, fraud and cyber-crime, yet the Mayor’s priorities do not appear to reflect these concerns following his cancellation of MOPAC funding to this important charity.

This Assembly wishes to remind the Mayor of his commitments, and calls on him to allocate £175,000 from MOPAC’s £18.9 million (less than 1%) of total budget to secure the future of The Cyber Helpline.”

Following debate, and upon being put to a vote, the motion was agreed with 12 votes being cast in favour and 0 votes being cast against.