A NEW cybercrime advisory service is available to Hampshire residents.

Hampshire Constabulary have shared an update with residents from their partners, The Blue Lamp Trust, of which chief constable Olivia Pinkney is a Trustee.

Their Bobby Scheme service provides free home security visits, long-life smoke alarms and advice to vulnerable residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, particularly the elderly and victims of burglary and domestic abuse and they have now launched Cyber Bobby.

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This is a brand-new scheme from the Blue Lamp Trust, which is seeks to help protect people from becoming victims of cyber crime.

The scheme, much-like the Bobby Scheme, provides home visits, giving advice and guidance about basic IT security.

The police vetted advisors offer free home visits to residents of Hampshire who are over 65-years-old, disabled (over 18) and those who are a previous victim of cyber crime.

They will discuss and advise residents about a range of issues including cyber and scam prevention advice, how to check privacy settings, signposting to other advice and resources, how to report issues and how to recognise scam emails and text messages.

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All of the Blue Lamp Trust advisors are police vetted and carry ID cards to reassure residents that they are genuine and they will not be offended if asked to see their ID to validate their identity.

If you, or anybody you know, is eligible (based on the criteria above) and would benefit from a Cyber Bobby referral, enquire via the Blue Lamp Trust website at bluelamptrust.org.uk/cyber-bobby.

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