Naomi Long pledges to strengthen cyber crime laws during visit to PSNI Cyber Crime Centre

Justice Minister Naomi Long at the PSNI Cyber Crime Centre with Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck and Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Neill, who is the Head of C1 Organised Crime Branch and has responsibility for the PSNI Cyber Crime Centre.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening cyber crime legislation during a visit to the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Cyber Crime Centre.

The Minister met with officers and forensic staff at the purpose-built facility, which handles digital evidence for some of Northern Ireland’s most serious investigations — from murder and drug trafficking to online child exploitation.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Long said:

“I am determined to do what I can to ensure that PSNI, in partnership with the other criminal justice agencies, has the appropriate tools to reduce the harm caused by cyber crime.

“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.”

Digital Evidence Key to Modern Policing

In 2025 alone, 10,010 CCTV exhibits have been submitted to the Cyber Crime Centre, alongside 1,796 devices — including mobile phones and computers — for digital forensic analysis. These devices relate to a wide array of offences, such as human trafficking, drugs, murder, and sexual offences.

Minister Long acknowledged the demanding nature of the work carried out by the centre’s staff:

“I appreciate the challenges involved for operational partners, particularly for police officers here at the Centre. 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.”

Constant innovation needed in cyber policing

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the evolving nature of cyber threats and the need for ongoing innovation.

“I am delighted to welcome the Justice Minister to the Police Service of Northern Ireland Cyber Crime Centre which is a purpose-built hub dedicated to the analysis of digital evidence across Northern Ireland.

“The cyber world is incredibly fast-paced and always evolving, so it is vital that we continue to be as technically capable as possible, which is why we constantly train and upskill officers within the PSNI Cybercrime units.

“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 continued:

“They are also responsible for processing a wide range of digital evidence including the most serious crimes such as murder and child sex abuse, through to burglaries and assaults.

“The Cyber Crime Centre continues to provide us with the advanced digital and technical investigative capabilities that is essential for policing in today’s world and to ensure we can bring perpetrators of crime to justice.”