Cybercrime Branded the Biggest Threat Facing UK Businesses at Hampshire Security Event
Businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were urged to take immediate action against cybercrime at a Business-Focussed Cyber Event hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones.
Addressing regional, strategic, and IT security leads from companies including NATS, Primark, B&Q, Southern Co-op, Ikea, Portsmouth International Port, and Boots, PCC Jones warned that cybercrime represents “one of the biggest threats to UK business.”
The event, held at the Police Training HQ in Netley during International Fraud Awareness Week, offered support for companies to safeguard against cyberattacks, highlighting both the financial and operational consequences of such incidents. As part of the event, PCC Jones funded website security assessments for all attendees, spanning large corporations, small businesses, and local charities.
Recent high-profile attacks underline the scale of the threat. Jaguar Land Rover suffered a five-week production shutdown—the most damaging hack in British history—costing an estimated £1.9 billion. Other UK companies, including Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Harrods, have also been targeted, with attacks causing operational disruptions, halted online sales, and grounded flights at London Heathrow Airport.
“We know that the highest type of crime reported to police is domestic violence, but the highest type of crime taking place anywhere in the UK is related to fraud and scams,” said PCC Jones. “The biggest threat of cybercrime in the UK comes either from hackers or criminal gangs, with many looking to gain money from people. We are now seeing massive growth in online scams, which is a huge threat to the hundreds of thousands of businesses we have across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”
She described the profile of many cybercriminals as “young, white males, aged 17-25, who are neurodivergent and highly intelligent,” adding that hacking has become “a game between them to prove how good they are.”
PCC Jones urged all businesses to remain vigilant, stating: “Cyberattacks can happen to anyone, so I would encourage all businesses across our two counties to take steps to ensure passwords are secure, use two-factor authentication, and report all incidents of cybercrime to police. Criminals work all around the globe now; you could be committing crimes in an African country, intercepting a business right here in Hampshire. We want to stop that.”
Inspector Chris White, Head of Cyber and Innovation at the South-East Cyber Resilience Centre, added: “There is not one business I’ve dealt with in the South that hasn’t been affected by negative cyber events. The top issues reported to police are the hacking of email and social media accounts, followed by the hacking of personal accounts.”
He advised businesses and individuals to take simple protective measures: “The easiest way to protect social media and online accounts is to turn on two-step verification—ideally with an authenticator app. Think of passphrases, not passwords, for online accounts. Try to use a mixture of three random words, and if you can add in numbers and symbols, that is even better.”
Chief Constable Alexis Boon emphasised the importance of reporting cybercrime: “Cybercrime can cause real harm to business. It is really important such crimes are reported to us. We have a strong team; we have a force lead for cybercrime, and we are achieving results. I would encourage all businesses to report these crimes so that we can investigate them locally or in partnership with our regional crime teams.”
The event also highlighted broader crime prevention measures. Businesses received guidance on combatting retail crime using the AI-led UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC) app, which improves reporting by shop staff to police.
Businesses who suspect they have been targeted by a scam or cyberattack are encouraged to contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary via 101. In emergencies, dial 999. Fraud and scam-related contacts include:
• Banks’ fraud departments: 159
• Fraudulent/scam emails: report@phishing.gov.uk
• Scam texts or calls: forward to 7726
• Lost money or hacking incidents: www.actionfraud.police.uk
• Online safety for platforms and games: www.internetmatters.org