Online crime could rise during the coronavirus outbreak as more people spend time on the internet, the Justice Secretary has warned.
It after councils warned people to beware of scammers on the doorstep, phone or online pretending to be health officials or offering to pick up food and medicines.
The LGA is advising people not to accept help from cold-callers and double check messages you receive online
Robert Buckland told the Commons Justice Committee on Tuesday the country may also see more cases of fraud and domestic abuse.
Asked by committee chairman Bob Neill how the justice system, particularly courts and prisons, would cope with cases arising during the outbreak, Mr Buckland said: "I think none of us can be entirely clear about what the trends might be.
"I think online crime will increase as more people spend time online and I'm worried about what that might mean with regard to online abuse, for example.
"Fraud, I think it's that type of criminality that we might see more of.
"I don't think we will sadly eliminate crime amongst younger members of society."
Referring to tougher restrictions on people's movements brought in by the Government to enforce social distancing, Mr Buckland added: "We have got to think about the people who are going to be least compliant with the new orders and one can readily envisage the type of group that's going to not comply."
