Staying Safe Online

One of our neighbourhood priorities is to keep people safe online. We are focusing on protecting vulnerable people from fraud and exploitation. Criminals often target individuals through emails, social media and online marketplaces, and these scams can have a serious impact on victims.

Actions

• 26 February 2026
  

  Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team attended the Memory Café, a valued local support group for people living with dementia and their carers. The session provided a great opportunity for us to strengthen links with the community and offer practical advice to help keep vulnerable people safe.

  As part of our visit, we promoted the Herbert Protocol – a national safeguarding initiative designed to help locate vulnerable people who may go missing. By completing a simple information form about a loved one’s routines, medical needs, and places they are familiar with, carers can ensure that officers have vital details quickly should an emergency occur. If you care for someone living with dementia, we strongly encourage you to consider completing the form.

  We also delivered a short input on online fraud and scams, which continue to be a priority for our team. Criminals frequently target vulnerable individuals through emails, social media, and online marketplaces. We discussed common scam tactics and shared tips on how to stay safe online, helping attendees and carers feel more confident in recognising and reporting suspicious activity.

  We would like to thank the Memory Café organisers and attendees for their warm welcome and for engaging so openly with us.

  If you have any concerns or information that may help us protect vulnerable members of our community, please get in touch via our team contact form or by calling 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

• 24 January 2026
  

  This week, members of the Somerton Neighbourhood Policing Team attended a local community support group, where we were available to speak with residents about any concerns they had around online safety.

  Officers offered practical crime‑prevention advice, including how to recognise online scams, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity. The session provided a great opportunity for open conversation, helping raise awareness of current online risks and ensuring our community feels confident and supported when navigating the digital world.

  We will continue to work with local groups and partners to promote online safety and provide accessible guidance to help keep residents safe.