In a bid to stamp out the growing threat of cyber crime, three new police teams dedicated to the fight have been launched today.

Yorkshire and the Humber, the North-West and the East Midlands will have dedicated units and work alongside the Metropolitan Police centre e-crime unit, which has been running since 2008 to tackle online security.

In the initiative announced yesterday at the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) conference in Sheffield, the increased funding and reach of e-crime prevention was praised by security professionals as a positive move.

New funding is part of a £30 million investment targeted at strengthening cyber crime prevention over the next four years.

Janet Williams, who heads e-crime for Acpo said: “In the first six months of the new funding period alone, we have already been able to show a reduction of £140m with our existing capability.”

She went on to say: “It is anticipated the hubs will make a significant contribution to the ‘national harm reduction’ target of £504m.”

James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime and Security, said: “As well as leading the fight in their regions, these units mark a significant step forward in developing a national response to cyber crime, which will be driven by the new National Crime Agency.”