HAMPSHIRE residents are being urged to do more to protect themselves from cybercrime.

Police in the county are warning residents about the dangers posed by not regularly updating software on their computers or mobile phones.

About two million cybercrime offences were committed last year, but the majority of people in the South East do not always download the latest security updates for their tech.

In the region 68 per cent of people do not always download the latest software updates for their mobile phone. A further 64 per cent do not do so for their computers.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ben Snuggs, said: “Cybercrimes pose an immediate threat to the public we serve, some of whom do not always understand the increasing risks to their personal lives and professional livelihoods.

“Many people believe software updates are purely cosmetic, but they also address security vulnerabilities in software, plugging gaps which hackers could exploit to gain access to your devices, which could enable them to access your data or harm your device with malicious software.

“Software updates may take a few minutes, but the added security could save you from becoming a victim of cybercrime.

“Hampshire Constabulary is committed to providing clear cyber security advice to people so they can be aware in taking simple steps to protect themselves, such as software updates.

“Cybercrime is now firmly a focus of how we meet the challenges of both the online and offline frontline of policing.

"The confidence and co-operation of all our communities remains essential to recognise and report suspicious behaviour online.”

To find out more about the Cyber Streetwise campaign visit cyberstreetwise.com/software-updates.