(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Cyber patrols have been recently launched by Sharjah Police in order to detect cyber crimes and have contributed a great deal in reducing the alarming rise of cyber blackmailing, Ibrahim Al Ajill, Director of CID Department at Sharjah Police has said.

He added that a total number of 189 cyber blackmailing crimes have been recorded at Sharjah police stations during 2016, when compared to 2015 which witnessed 221 cases.

He addressed the gathering during a forum on "risks of cyber blackmailing' organized by Sharjah police department. Al Ajill said that in 2012 the police dealt with 235 which increased in 2013 to 335 cases.

"These alarming the numbers when they were recorded at the time, was due to lack of awareness on new crime that has been upgraded with spread of social media plat forms" he added.