Thames Valley named England’s cybercrime hotspot
Thames Valley Police are urging people to stay vigilant
Last updated 10th Apr 2026
Thames Valley has been identified as the area most affected by cybercrime in England and police are urging people to learn how to protect themselves against this type of crime.
The analysis utilised data from the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Dashboard for the period between 1st December 2024 and 31st December 2025, comparing 43 police force areas in England and Wales.
Thames Valley recorded a rate of 152.62 cyber crimes per 100,000 people during this time, with a total of 3,945 incidents, according to a new study by Getsby.
Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn explains, “cybercrime is where criminals try and attack you through your digital footprint to try and access to either your financial details to take out products in your name, or have direct access to your online banking to steal your money.
“A criminal sat at home can target thousands of individuals through one simple text message or one simple cyber-attack. So, it's about a volume game and the vast majority of cyber offences are preventable”, he adds.
The Head of Thames Valley Police’s Central Fraud Unit is urging people to take “simple steps” to protect themselves against cyber crime.
DI Wynn said: “Criminals will always look for the least vulnerable security and attack that. So, if you've got a really strong password, if you're using two factor authentication - you are less likely to be a victim of cybercrime than someone who isn't.
Adding: “It’s also about taking time to think, don't be rushed, and don't be panicked.
“So, when you see a text message from a family member saying that they've had their card stolen and their phone stolen and they're using this new number and need some money urgently, take a few seconds to actually think about whether it is actually genuine.
“Treat your information and your data the same way as you would treat cash.”