The National Hi-Tech Crime Unit sounds like something from a cop show on TV. However, the UK's first national law enforcement agency dedicated to cracking computer-based crime is very real ...


WITH computers offering criminals more options than ever for wreaking havoc, the police have got to do something to keep up.

The answer is the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU).

The NHTCU was established in 2000 by former home secretary Jack Straw as part of a national hi-tech crime strategy to address gaps in the police's ability to tackle computer-based crimes.

The criminal activities the NHTCU is fighting to combat fall into two groups.

The first, New Crimes, New Tools, involves activities such as hacking and viruses, denial of service attacks and spoof websites.

The second, Old Crimes, New Tools, includes fraud, blackmail, paedophilia and pornography, all of which have been made easier by the internet and other modern technology.

The need for an agency such as the NHTCU is highlighted by a recent report which says cyber-crime cost Britain billions of pounds last year.

A huge 83 per cent of businesses surveyed say they suffered some sort of computer crime in the past year. Among the firms which suffered at the hands of computer criminals are financial service providers and online bookmakers.

The NHTCU is currently investigating a plot by hackers to disrupt sporting events, such as the Grand National and the Euro 2004 football tournament, by threatening to disrupt internet betting.

The NHTCU's website is worth a look to see just what the organisation is up against.

There is also advice on what people should do if they fall victim to a cyber-criminal.