PCC offers businesses free support against cybercrime
06 October 2025
UK businesses face a £440m annual threat from cybercrime, with most of them unprepared for an online attack, but now free preventative support is being offered by Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones.
In response to the devastating financial and reputational damage that cybercrime can cause, the PCC is providing businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with expert support and practical advice at a ‘Cyber Resilience for Business’ event in November.
Early last month Jaguar Land Rover halted production across its three UK facilities following a cyber-attack, with a phased return of manufacturing only starting again this week. The impact on Jaguar Land Rover and businesses connected to its supply chain, forced the government to provide loan guarantees worth £1.5bn as support.
High-profile ransomware attacks this year also saw M&S report losses of £300 million, with both M&S and the Co-op suffering large-scale theft of sensitive customer and employee data.
The Police Commissioner’s free event (pre-registration for tickets is required), will be held on Friday 21st November and will give business owners and leaders direct access to cybersecurity specialists and real-world case studies.
PCC Donna Jones said: “This is no longer a niche IT issue, it’s a business survival issue. Every business, regardless of size or sector, needs to understand the risks and how to defend against them.
“Defence against these types of cyberattack is now a vitally important part of running and protecting a business.
“I hope many business owners and decision-makers will take advantage of this unique opportunity, so they can gain the knowledge and ability to ensure they do not suffer from the impact we know this crime causes.”
The event, on Friday 21st November, is designed to help organisations reduce the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks and is part of the PCC’s commitment to helping all members of the local business community protect their businesses and customers.
The South East Cyber Resilience Centre (SECRC) reported that in the last 13 months local organisations suffered from:
- 63 cybercrime attacks
- 769 fraud cases
- £7.6 million in reported losses
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 revealed that 1-in-5 businesses has suffered a cybercrime in the past year, with phishing making up most attacks.
Business owners and decision-makers are encouraged to register now for this event, due to limited availability.
Event Details:
🗓️ Date: Friday 21 November 2025
📍 Location: Hampshire Constabulary, Hamble Lane, Southampton SO31 4TS
💷 Cost: Free to attend
🔗 [Register Now]