A NEW cyber investigation team has been set up to help police in North Ayrshire tackle online fraud.

Councillors on North Ayrshire's police and fire and rescue committee were told that crimes of fraud remain on the increase in North Ayrshire, in line with the UK as a whole.

A police spokesperson said: "Prevention and intervention remains the focus to ensure that vulnerable members of the community are not ‘scammed’ or targeted by those criminals obtaining monies from victims.

"Work alongside the banks and Post Office network continues to ensure the banking protocol remains at the forefront in preventing individuals from becoming a victim of these types of fraud."