POLICE officers and Get Safe Online have joined together to advise the public how to keep their electronics secure.

The tips come as part of a ‘protecting your devices’ campaign so that equipment such as smartphones, watches or laptops are safe from online crime.

DS Brian Faint, Cheshire Police economic crime unit, said: “People often take extra care when it comes to their personal belongings and valuables but fail to think about online security.

“Anyone can fall victim to online crime and we want to remind you to remain security conscious and do everything you can to reduce being targeted by those intent in causing misery in our communities.

“I would strongly encourage everyone to start making online safety part of their daily routine by following a few simple tips to protect your digital devices.”

Cheshire Police tips include protecting devices with a password, having security software, updating apps when prompted, thinking before clicking on email attachments or links and backing up data in case devices get lost or stolen.

Tony Neate, Get Safe Online chief executive said: “These devices are expensive and contain some of our most precious data such as irreplaceable photos or confidential personal or work information so you don’t want them falling into the wrong hands.”

For more information visit getsafeonline.org/devices.