This statistic shows the number of computer misuse fraud offences by type recorded in England and Wales in the years ending March 2017 and March 2018. Computer viruses and malware cases fell sharply from 7.2 thousand cases in the year ending March 2017, to 6.7 thousand in the year ending March 2018.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) asks a sole adult in a random sample of households about their, or their household's, experience of crime victimisation in the previous 12 months. These are recorded in the victim form data file (VF). A wide range of questions are then asked, covering demographics and crime-related subjects such as attitudes to the police and the criminal justice system (CJS). These variables are contained within the non-victim form (NVF) data file. In 2009, the survey was extended to children aged 10-15 years old; one resident of that age range was also selected from the household and asked about their experience of crime and other related topics. The first set of children's data covered January-December 2009 and is held separately under SN 6601. From 2009-2010, the children's data cover the same period as the adult data and are included with the main study.
The Telephone-operated Crime Survey for England and Wales (TCSEW) became operational on 20 May 2020. It was a replacement for the face-to-face CSEW, which was suspended on 17 March 2020 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It was set up with the intention of measuring the level of crime during the pandemic. As the pandemic continued throughout the 2020/21 survey year, questions have been raised as to whether the year ending March 2021 TCSEW is comparable with estimates produced in earlier years by the face-to-face CSEW. The ONS Comparability between the Telephone-operated Crime Survey for England and Wales and the face-to-face Crime Survey for England and Wales report explores those factors that may have a bearing on the comparability of estimates between the TCSEW and the former CSEW. These include survey design, sample design, questionnaire changes and modal changes.
More general information about the CSEW may be found on the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales web page and for the previous BCS, from the GOV.UK BCS Methodology web page.
History - the British Crime Survey
The CSEW was formerly known as the British Crime Survey (BCS), and has been in existence since 1981. The 1982 and 1988 BCS waves were also conducted in Scotland (data held separately under SNs 4368 and 4599). Since 1993, separate Scottish Crime and Justice Surveys have been conducted. Up to 2001, the BCS was conducted biennially. From April 2001, the Office for National Statistics took over the survey and it became the CSEW. Interviewing was then carried out continually and reported on in financial year cycles. The crime reference period was altered to accommodate this.
Secure Access CSEW data
In addition to the main survey, a series of questions covering drinking behaviour, drug use, self-offending, gangs and personal security, and intimate personal violence (IPV) (including stalking and sexual victimisation) are asked of adults via a laptop-based self-completion module (questions may vary over the years). Children aged 10-15 years also complete a separate self-completion questionnaire. The questionnaires are included in the main documentation, but the data are only available under Secure Access conditions (see SN 7280), not with the main study. In addition, from 2011 onwards, lower-level geographic variables are also available under Secure Access conditions (see SN 7311).
New methodology for capping the number of incidents from 2017-18
The CSEW datasets available from 2017-18 onwards are based on a new methodology of capping the number of incidents at the 98th percentile. Incidence variables names have remained consistent with previously supplied data but due to the fact they are based on the new 98th percentile cap, and old datasets are not, comparability has been lost with years prior to 2012-2013. More information can be found in the 2017-18 User Guide (see SN 8464) and the article ‘Improving victimisation estimates derived from the Crime Survey for England and Wales’.
The global indicator 'Estimated Cost of Cybercrime' in the cybersecurity market was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total *** trillion U.S. dollars (+***** percent). After the eleventh consecutive increasing year, the indicator is estimated to reach ***** trillion U.S. dollars and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the indicator 'Estimated Cost of Cybercrime' of the cybersecurity market was continuously increasing over the past years. Ransomware and manufacturing industry Cyberattacks remain a significant challenge for organizations worldwide, sectors such as manufacturing, finance, and insurance were the most affected by these attacks. Among the various types of cyber threats, ransomware was the most frequently detected, accounting for around ** percent of all incidents. The manufacturing industry, in particular, faced the highest number of ransomware attacks, making it the most targeted sector globally. Cybersecurity awareness and investments Organizations worldwide became increasingly aware of the dangers posed by cyberattacks, approximately ** percent of internet users became familiar terms such as with "ransomware." In response to these threats, companies invested more in cybersecurity. In 2024, the average annual increase in IT security budgets was expected to reach *** percent. In fact, for companies worldwide, enhancing the cyber resilience of their cybersecurity teams was the top spending priority in 2023.
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The Internet of Things has changed how society operates, from businesses undertaking their activity online to transferring financial information via online data packets. However, the digital age has also allowed cyber-attacks and malware to obtain unauthorised access to computer networks for financial gain or personal data, threatening businesses and public resources. The Cyber Security Software Development industry has rapidly gained prominence as cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity and volume. The government's cybercrime statistics reveal that in 2023, UK businesses faced approximately 7.8 million cybercrimes, pushing organisations to ramp up their cyber defences. High-profile cyber breaches have sped up investment in intrusion prevention systems and given a boost to innovation-led cyber start-ups pioneering a new era of security software. The influx of public funding, like the £2.6 billion National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS) 2022-2025, has supported sustained growth and development in an increasingly vulnerable digital landscape. Over the five years through 2024-25, cyber security software developers' revenue is set to climb at a compound annual rate of 7.3% to reach £1.2 billion. Revenue is anticipated to swell by 8.9% in 2024-25 as demand for cyber security continues to soar. A recurring revenue model has supported profit, although it's been held back by high wage costs and considerable investment in R&D. As malware becomes more and more complex, spending on defence software will continue to swell. Over the five years through 2029-30, revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.7% to reach £1.9 billion. The government's ongoing NCSS will continue to facilitate UK cyber security initiatives, helping to close the current skills gap in the cyber market. New data protection laws, which come with hefty fines, will make businesses think twice about their cyber security solutions; they'll boost their spending on new IT defence software to ensure they don't break the rules. However, the long-term success of next-generation cyber start-ups depends on their ability to attract equity investment.
This publication can be accessed here (https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/northern-ireland-crime-survey)
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The Forensic Accounting Services industry in the UK plays a vital role in uncovering financial fraud, ensuring regulatory compliance and navigating complex financial landscapes for businesses. Revenue is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 3.9% over the five years through 2025-26 to £2.5 billion, including an estimated growth of 2.9% in 2025-26, while the average industry profit margin is forecast to reach 18.1%. With financial crime growing amid the rocky economic environment and more sophisticated cyber threats, demand for forensic accountants has grown significantly in recent years. Their expertise in investigating financial irregularities, analysing data and providing expert advice on compliance matters make them indispensable in safeguarding businesses from financial risks. Forensic accountants are expanding their technical capabilities, investing in digital forensics and leveraging advanced analytics to track and quantify losses, help businesses comply with tougher regulations and support litigation or insurance claims. Meanwhile, growing regulatory scrutiny has driven demand from businesses for forensic accountants to help them ensure compliance. However, muted merger and acquisition activity due to the higher base rate environment has weighed on demand for forensic accountants, being a key component in the conduction of due diligence of target companies. At the same time, tough economic conditions have also forced more business bankruptcies and insolvencies, supporting demand for related forensic accounting services like financial health assessment. Revenue is expected to climb at a compound annual rate of 5.4% over the five years through 2030-31 to £3.2 billion. The intensifying threat of cybercrime will drive demand for forensic accountants with expertise in digital forensics. As companies increasingly focus on ESG practices, there will be a growing need for forensic accountants to ensure ethical business conduct. These specialised services command premium fees, helping drive revenue and profit growth in the industry. The integration of AI in forensic accounting will enhance the industry’s capabilities in detecting and preventing financial crime, allowing firms to deliver faster, more accurate and innovative solutions.
As of January 2025, the most significant data breach incident in the United Kingdom (UK) was the 2017-2018 Dixons Carphone breach. As a result of this incident, 14 million user records were affected, and 5.6 million payment card information was exposed. The Equifax data breach between 2011 and 2016 impacted over 15 million customers nationwide.
In 2022, the share of internet users in the United Kingdom (UK) who had consumed online content illegally was 32 percent. This figure increased by seven percent from the previous year. In 2015, the share of users accessing digital media content illegally was 27 percent.
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Over the five years through 2024-25, security systems services' revenue is slated to climb at a compound annual rate of 4.1% to reach £1.8 billion, including forecast growth of 1.6% in 2024-25. Rising crime rates are inflating demand for security services. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), crimes against individuals in England and Wales swelled by 12% in year through September 2024. Retailers are investing more in monitoring systems to address the growing number of shoplifting incidents. Other crimes, like burglary, are also high and boosting sales of home security systems, CCTV, intruder alarms and emergency response solutions. Increased construction activity in 2024-25 is boosting demand for security services, as new building projects require site protection and security installations. ONS data shows that total construction work rose 0.5% in 2024 and is up 9.5% from 2021. Simultaneously, government authorities are outsourcing security services to specialist contractors to alleviate public safety concerns and improve efficiency, increasing providers' revenue. Additionally, a more widespread return to office work is creating more opportunities for security companies, as more workers in the office means a greater need for security guards to ensure safety. Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 4.6% over the five years through 2029-30 to £2.3 billion. Technological developments, both upstream and within the industry, look set to drive service diversification, with companies looking to introduce offerings like biometric alarms and vacant property security. This should attract a broader customer base and boost profit, as customers are willing to pay more for premium services. The government’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes by 2029 should also support growth – more houses will likely translate to higher demand for security systems like alarms and surveillance. Concurrently, declining inflation and interest rates will stimulate the housing and construction markets, further boosting the need for security solutions in new residential and commercial developments.
Online banking fraud is the fraudulent act of accessing and/or transferring funds from a person's online banking account for the purpose of financial gain. The annual value of online banking fraud losses fluctuated overall during the period under observation, reaching a value of approximately ***** million British pounds in 2020. The second-largest value of online banking fraud losses in the UK was found in 2015, when a total annual value of ***** million British pounds was recorded. Fraud offences on the rise across UK In the 2023/24 reporting year, the police in England and Wales recorded over **** million instances of fraud and computer misuse, compared with ******* in 2011/12. There has also been an uptick in this type of crime in Scotland, where the number of fraud crimes increased from just under ***** in 2011/12 to over ****** in 2023/24. In Northern Ireland, this type of crime peaked in 2020/21 at ***** offences, compared with ***** in 2011/12. Financial fraud Online banking fraud is categorized under the larger group of remote banking fraud, which accounted for more than *** billion GBP in losses during 2019. Remote banking fraud was the third largest type of financial fraud seen in 2020. Other types of financial fraud include payment cards, authorized push payments and cheque fraud. Almost half of all financial fraud in the UK was completed via payment card fraud. Payment card fraud includes credit, debit, charge and ATM only cards. In 2020, almost a quarter of all payment card fraud on UK cards were from abroad.
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This statistic shows the number of computer misuse fraud offences by type recorded in England and Wales in the years ending March 2017 and March 2018. Computer viruses and malware cases fell sharply from 7.2 thousand cases in the year ending March 2017, to 6.7 thousand in the year ending March 2018.