Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

In April and May 2025, several prominent UK retailers including Marks & Spencer (M&S), Co-op, and Harrods experienced significant cyberattacks. At the time of writing we have not had confirmation of these attacks but consider them to be a Ransomware attack. These incidents are disrupting services, compromising customer data, and highlight vulnerabilities in retail cybersecurity. This guide aims to help you as a consumer take the steps you can take to protect yourself.

From the 1st of April 2025, our dedicated London service has been decommissioned as a result of the recent government budget cuts to victim support services.

We are pleased to announce that the annual Trustees Report for The Cyber Helpline is now available. This report highlights our financial statements and ongoing work to provide immediate, expert cybersecurity support to those who need it.

In this case study, we walk through the journey of one of our service users and their family who were caught in a cyberstalking nightmare. From the initial report of stalking to the pursuit of justice, we follow their turbulent case marked by false allegations, manipulative tactics, and systemic obstacles.

The Mayor of London has cut funding for victims of online crime in the capital at a time when 98% of reports to the police are given ‘no further action’. In fact, victims are seven times less likely to see their perpetrator charged or summoned compared to victims of offline crime. From the 1st of April 2025, dedicated online crime victim services will be shut down and thousands of victims will go without specialist support.

As AI tools grow more sophisticated and accessible, sadly exploitation of these tools also increases. Recognising this, the Home Office has made the UK the first country in the world to introduce new legislation that targets predators producing AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). AI-generated content has severe consequences for victims. CSAMs may be used to manipulate or blackmail children, perpetuate harmful narratives, or retraumatise victims whose likenesses have been altered.

Cyberstalking and harassment can take many different forms, whether you’re receiving distressing messages, being bullied, having personal information released online, or you suspect you’re being monitored. This guide will help you understand what laws and regulations apply in the UK, how to report cyberstalking and harassment, what evidence you should collect and store, and how to engage with the police and other supporting organisations.

Cybercrime affects over 5 million individuals in the UK every year, with a majority living in London. This densely populated area is unsurprisingly a hotspot for cybercriminal activity. It’s one of the world’s leading financial and technological hubs, with thousands of Londoners experiencing cybercrimes such as scams, hacked accounts, and intimate image abuse annually.

As the holiday season approaches, we at The Cyber Helpline are reminded of the incredible power of community, generosity, and courage. This year, one of our amazing supporters, Anya Bridges, is taking on a challenge that embodies all three.

The Home Office has introduced new guidance aimed at strengthening protections for stalking victim-survivors in England and Wales. Under the updated measures, police will be required to inform individuals if they uncover the identity of a stalker, including those operating anonymously online. Additionally, stalking protection orders will be toughened to prevent convicted stalkers from contacting their victims while in prison.