Justice Minister Naomi Long has pledged to "take every possible opportunity to strengthen the law" regarding cyber crime, after visiting the PSNI Cyber Crime Centre.

The Minister emphasised her determination to ensure the PSNI and other criminal justice agencies possess the necessary tools to combat the growing harm caused by online offences.

Minister Long stated: "We all recognise the benefits and opportunities that the online world presents. However, we also know that so many forms of criminality are now conducted online, and that increasingly almost every offence may involve some online element. That requires us to be agile and forward-looking in the work we do."

During her visit, the Minister met with staff at the Centre, hearing about the challenging nature of their roles, particularly in tackling crimes involving children and bringing perpetrators to justice. The PSNI's Cyber Crime Centre has processed a significant volume of digital evidence in 2025, with a total of 10,010 CCTV exhibits submitted and 1,796 devices, including mobile phones and computers, submitted for digital forensics. These devices relate to a broad spectrum of offences, from human trafficking and drugs to murder and crimes of a sexual nature. Minister Long expressed her appreciation for the work carried out: "I want to acknowledge and thank you for the invaluable and difficult work you are undertaking here in terms of protecting infrastructure and safeguarding vulnerable people, including children, who may have been abused or exploited. It is difficult, complex and often distressing work which is at the frontline of protecting the public and bringing perpetrators to justice."

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck welcomed the Minister to the purpose-built hub, which is dedicated to the analysis of digital evidence across Northern Ireland. He highlighted the fast-paced and evolving nature of the cyber world, stressing the importance of continuous training and upskilling for officers within the PSNI Cybercrime units.

Assistant Chief Constable Beck added: "Whilst not all crime is digital, we live in a world where most crimes now have a digital element. Officers in the Cyber Crime Centre are involved in a breadth of investigations ranging from devious software targeting vulnerable victims to footage captured on a ring doorbell or information provided by smart devices." He concluded by noting that the Centre's advanced capabilities are essential for modern policing and for ensuring criminals are brought to justice.