Riseholme College hosts Lincolnshire Rural and Cyber Crime Event

Compered by Daniel Metters, the college’s Vice Principal, the event was an opportunity to discover more about the initiatives and strategies being developed and delivered to make Lincolnshire a safer place to live and work.

Participants heard from a wide range of highly knowledgeable and experienced speakers from a variety of key organisations who are at the forefront of tackling rural and cyber-crime. These included an opening address from the Police and Crime Commissioner and talks from the Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Crime and Cyber teams, NFU, Environmental Crime Partnership, Data Tag, National Cyber Security Centre, Crimestoppers and East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre. Following the speakers there was the opportunity for participants to speak to them in a more intimate environment to ask questions, seek support and discusses ideas for their homes and businesses.

Police Delivery Lead, DI Matt Carson from the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre, who presented at the conference said “There’s a popular misconception that cyber-crime only affects the big fish in the city or the major industries, but this is far from the truth. The agriculture sector is as much at risk as any other sector. Cyber criminals don’t have geographical boundaries. If they can see a vulnerability in a business, they will exploit it.”

As the very first conference coordinated by Crimestoppers, with an agricultural focus, the event was specifically aimed at spotlighting rural and cyber-crime by bringing together key partners involved in their combat.

During the conference the college was also proud to be welcomed by Crimestoppers Lincolnshire Committee Chair, Mike Johnson MBE and Regional Manager Lydia Patsalides as a Community Ambassador.

Vice Principal Daniel Metters commented: