Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Andrew Snowden, has opened the Cyber Crime Protect Conference in Preston.

The event, hosted by Lancashire Police's Cyber Unit during Cyber Security Awareness Month, aimed to advise small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the importance of cyber security and protection.

Attendees from local SMEs were able to network with other business owners and staff from organisations such as the North West Regional Crime Unit and National Crime Agency, whilst talks varied in subject from cyber support to ransomware.

Mr Snowden supported the funding and delivery of the Cyber Protect Conference with cash seized from criminals through his Police Innovation Fund, a strand of the wider Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund.

The Police Innovation Fund allows officers and police staff to apply for grant funding for innovative projects that will help fight crime.

Speaking after the event, Mr Snowden said: "I am delighted to see how Lancashire's Cyber Crime Unit, with support from my office and LANPAC, are equipping businesses with the skills and confidence they need to protect themselves from online criminality.

"With 40 per cent of all crimes now having an online component, cyber crime is becoming an increasingly important focus of my Fighting Crime Plan priority of disrupting and dismantling organised crime.

"Lancashire has an array of fantastic small businesses who operate online and are potentially vulnerable to different types of cyber crime and I am committed in both my role as commissioner and chair of the North West Cyber Resilience Centre's Guidance Council, to ensuring that local businesses can operate without fear of fraudsters and stay one step ahead of online criminals."

Further information about the Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund can be found at lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/grant-funding/safer-lancashire-neighbourhoods-fund.