PCC supports police Cyber Safety Roadshow event

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), John Tizard has joined experts in cyber security this Wednesday (4 March) for a dedicated event aimed at helping local businesses protect themselves from the growing threat of cybercrime.

The session featured presentations from Bedfordshire Police and the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU). Around 50 business representatives from across the county are expected to attend.

Over the past year, there have been 4,579 reports of cybercrime in Bedfordshire, with an estimated £23 million in reported losses. These crimes affect individuals, small businesses, large retailers, and public services alike — from fraud and phishing scams to more advanced ransomware attacks.

John Tizard, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire said:

“Crime is no longer limited to streets, homes, or physical premises. Increasingly, it is digital, borderless, and highly sophisticated.

“Retailers and businesses are the backbone of our local economy. While we continue to see challenges such as shoplifting and repeat offending, cybercrime has added a new and complex threat — one that is often linked to organised criminality. We must support businesses to stay secure and resilient.

“Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing threats we face. Prevention must sit at the heart of our approach. By working together, we can reduce risk, protect livelihoods, and ensure Bedfordshire remains a safe place to live, work and do business, and I was impressed by the presentations that I heard today.

“Policing cannot solve this issue alone. We need strong partnerships between the police, businesses, retailers, and local authorities. When we share information, coordinate responses and support prevention, we are far more effective.

One of the key messages of the event is the need for businesses to report cyber incidents. Reporting enables policing partners to:

• Build accurate intelligence
• Identify trends, patterns, and repeat offenders
• Target prevention activity and resources where they are most needed

Without reporting, the true scale of cybercrime remains hidden.