YOUNG and elderly people alike are being urged to protect their private information in a Melksham police campaign on cybercrime and cyber- bullying.

Criminals are increasingly targeting people who have not protected computers, tablets and smartphones, Melksham Neighbourhood Police Team said.

Since November the NPT have been giving classes to school children within Melksham on the benefits of having strong passwords, anti-virus software and installing updates when prompted as well as warning of the serious consequences of bullying online.

Acting sergeant Kane Fulbrook-Smith said: “Young people can easily get exploited and although they think they are very media savvy they do sometimes fall foul with things like their personal settings.

“It is a common problem and cybercrime will overtake drugs as the biggest crime in the country and it is primarily the elderly or the young most at risk.

“There are several examples of elderly people opening emails that say they have won the lottery and before you know it they have been duped into handing over X amount of pounds.”

The scheme kicked-off during anti-bullying week with the NPT giving lessons at schools within the town warning them about certain aspects of dangerous internet activity and how to cope with being bullied online.

Three different engagement officers, throughout the scheme, have been working in schools educating pupils in regards to things such as sexting or exploitation online.

In the coming months the NPT intend to focus primarily on older residents at risk of cybercrime by attending elderly persons groups throughout the town.

Sergeant Fulbrook-Smith added: “Cybercrime was made one of the six priorities of the Force Control Strategy.

“We used this to promote internet safety and cybercrime within the Melksham community. We have focused almost entirely on young people and the elderly as these are the people most at risk.

“We have also worked with parents and gone to parent’s evenings where we have talked to those who were waiting to see the teachers.

“What we are really trying to do is raise awareness of cybercrime.”