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Media Commentary4 April 2026

Cybercrime, Police Resourcing and the Ransomware Compliance Trap

RoleQuoted legal commentator
Published InTechRadar Pro
A series of technology and security publications reported Forbes Solicitors' analysis showing that recorded fraud and computer misuse offences had grown substantially faster than police staffing dedicated to cyber and economic crime. Craig MacKenzie, Head of High Profile and Private Crime at Forbes Solicitors, commented on the potential consequences for businesses and directors as cyber-security regulation tightens and restrictions on ransomware payments are considered.

Craig MacKenzie was quoted across national technology, cybersecurity and security publications on the growing disparity between cybercrime and specialist police resources, and the compliance risks that proposed ransomware-payment restrictions could create for businesses and directors.

Why This Matters

  • Businesses facing ransomware incidents must weigh operational recovery against fast-moving legal restrictions on payments.
  • Directors and senior managers face growing personal accountability for how cyber incidents are handled and reported.
  • Organisations subject to new cyber-security duties, including those anticipated under the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, face stricter requirements and higher penalties.
  • Ransomware payments could create civil or criminal exposure if proposed restrictions become law.
  • Limited growth in specialist policing resources means organisations carry more of the practical burden of investigating and responding to cybercrime.

Coverage Across Recognised Publications

These publications reported analysis by Forbes Solicitors and included Craig's commentary in his role as Head of High Profile and Private Crime. Several reports share or syndicate the same underlying material and are presented here as breadth of coverage, not as separate independent investigations.

TechRadar Pro4 April 2026

'Growing 3x faster than police staffing': Surge in cybercrime and new laws on ransomware payment could put UK businesses (and their directors) in a 'compliance trap'

Principal report on the Forbes Solicitors analysis, quoting Craig on the compliance risks facing UK businesses and their directors.

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SC Media UK

UK cybercrime significantly outpaces police staffing growth

News brief reporting that recorded UK cybercrime has grown significantly faster than specialist police staffing.

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National Cyber Security

UK government wants to ban ransomware payouts but offers no extra policing

Report on proposed ransomware-payment restrictions and the absence of additional policing resources.

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IT Brief UK1 April 2026

Cyber crime surges faster than police staffing in England

Coverage of the Forbes Solicitors analysis with Craig's commentary; part of the same publishing network as SecurityBrief UK.

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SecurityBrief UK

Cyber crime surges faster than police staffing in England

Closely related coverage within the same publishing network as IT Brief UK.

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Security Matters

Cyber crime rates 'growing three times faster than policing numbers'

Report on the widening gap between cybercrime growth and specialist policing numbers.

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Yahoo News

UK government wants to ban ransomware payouts but offers no extra policing

Syndicated report on proposed ransomware-payment restrictions, quoting Craig on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and compliance pressures.

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Tags

CybercrimeRansomwareFinancial crimeCorporate criminal liabilityCyber Security and Resilience BillFraud and computer misuseRegulatory complianceBusiness crimeDirectors' liabilityPolice resourcing

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This material provides general information and is not a substitute for advice about a specific investigation or case.

Craig provides legal services exclusively through Forbes Solicitors. To make an initial enquiry, contact Craig at:

craig.mackenzie@forbessolicitors.co.uk

07976 258 258

An enquiry does not constitute an instruction. Forbes Solicitors must confirm in writing that it has accepted the matter before any solicitor–client relationship arises.