A police force has responded to the growing threat of cybercrime by setting up a new specialist unit to tackle the problem.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has launched its Cyber and Financial Investigation Unit which will focus a whole range of illicit online activities from hacking, fraud and scamming to stalking, hate crime and human trafficking.

Superintendent Nat Briant, who is leading the unit, said: “Criminal activity is increasingly being carried out online, with offenders often feeling that they are less likely to be caught when committing fraud or hacking online. Similarly many people who might not consider themselves criminals are going online and committing abuse or hate crimes, because they feel a sense of anonymity doing it through social media.

“This new unit will tackle cyber-crime and bring these offenders, who believe they are untraceable, to justice. We will be working with other forces and partner agencies to track down these criminals wherever they may be – in the UK or overseas.

Hertfordshire’s police and crime commissioner David Lloyd added: “I am delighted that this new team has been set up – it was one of the first things on my agenda after I became commissioner.

“Much of this crime goes unreported and is low level, but there is also a great deal of harm being done by these criminals and much of the proceeds end up in the hands of organised gangs or even terrorists.”

For more information visit www.herts.police.uk/advice/cybercrime.aspx.