Since the National High Tech Crime Unit (NHCU) was merged with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in April 2006, there has been less frequent contact. Soca does not directly take reports of cybercrime, and follows up only larger cases.

Businesses are becoming increasingly frustrated at having no centralised organisation to which they can report instances of computer crime, and are calling on the government to form a central police e-crime unit.

An online petition backed by Infosecurity Europe, organisers of Europe’s biggest annual IT security conference have been signed by a number of high security experts.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has submitted a proposal to the Home Office for a national e-crime unit, but the Home Office says it needs more clarification on detail and costs.