16 January 2006

A joint initiative between trading standards officers and the University of Wales Institute (UWIC) in Cardiff has been set up to tackle web criminals.

The collaboration, known as the NetWise project, has been granted funds from the Department of Trade and Industry to boost the visibility of trading standards within the web-based retail world, and therefore improving the image of the web as a safe place to conduct business.

"With UWIC and local authorities working together and sharing information, we will get a picture of businesses trading on-line in Wales," explained David Nicholson, the regional trading standards coordinator for Wales.

"Many, of course, are genuine and comply with the law. Unfortunately there are those that don't - we will target and trace those that do not comply.

"If they refuse to comply then they will be dealt with accordingly."

UWIC has become involved in the project as they run the only Trading Standards degree programme in Wales, and the students will be helping scour the Internet for e-commerce crooks.

It is hoped the NetWise project will ultimately deliver an improved and coordinated approach to Internet enforcement in Wales by Trading Standards officers.

© Adfero Ltd

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