I am pleased to see that Sussex Police has now recruited over 300 additional police officers, as part of the government’s drive to recruit an additional 20,000 nationally. Crime and the fear of crime impact us all one way or another, so strengthening the police is very welcome.
The nature of crime has changed over the years. The internet has revolutionised our lives but with it has come new criminal threats. Online scams have become more frequent and sophisticated over the past few years. nSadly, it tends to be more vulnerable residents who fall victim to the scammers, although any of us can. We also continue to see bogus text messages, with common ones being that you have a parcel to collect that needs a small fee, or texts claiming to be from the council or government requesting bank or card details so that tax rebates can be paid.
It is heart-breaking when you hear of people being scammed. In the worst cases it can be life savings that are lost. It can ruin lives and lead to a total loss of confidence. This is why in local government, we are very keen to support those residents who would benefit from scams awareness training and who could feel more confident about being online.
West Sussex County Council has a Digital Safety Team, who work alongside an organisation called Get Safe Online. Together, they offer free in-person support through their Digital Ambassador volunteers. These individuals are able to offer one-to-one online safety support at libraries and can also deliver talks to local groups. For more information, email [email protected].
Our County Council Libraries in West Sussex also offer free in person and remote digital support. Their ‘Computer Buddies scheme’, gives individuals one-on-one help with computer queries, such as how to set up an email, Skype or Facebook account, to downloading an e-book or printing a document.
Libraries also offer a Remote Digital Support helpline, which can provide you with the same service as the Computer Buddies scheme, but online. The helpline can be reached by calling 033 022 23455 or by emailing [email protected].
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
2nd November 2022
