Police fraud expert joins Stay Safe Online team
Rachel Davies, centre, with SSO Manager Toni Evans, left, Director Jennie Shaw and Stay Safe Online Volunteers
FORMER police officer Rachel Davies is bringing almost 25 years of crimefighting and community policing skills to the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust’s Stay Safe Online team.
Her appointment comes as cybercrime continues to surge in Wiltshire, accounting for almost one in every two crimes investigated by Wiltshire Police. In the year to August 2025 there were 3,352 reports of fraud, equivalent to £18.5 million in total reported losses – an average of £5,519 per victim.
After spending the last four years of her career with Wiltshire Police’s fraud team Rachel has become the charity’s SSO Referral Lead and Manager Support, working with SSO Manager Toni Evans to lead its team of 11 SSO volunteers.
The volunteers make home visits to people aged over 60 or who have a disability whose families who have fallen prey to online scammers or who are thought to be at risk. They also give talks to community groups.
“The Bobby Van has always been part of the policing family and for me, having the opportunity to be able to carry the knowledge and experience I’ve gained into a charity that works so closely with Wiltshire Police was a no brainer,” said Rachel.
“I’m looking forward to working with a team of volunteers who are well trained in cyber protection and have a great deal of expertise. It’s so important that we have the awareness of fraud and Stay Safe Online because there are new scams coming out every single day – but it doesn’t matter what new scam they come out with, there are basic steps we can take to protect us.”
With so much of everyday life online, she believes many older people are daunted by the terminology as well as the technology. “Most of the people I saw as a Fraud Protect Officer were over 60 and they don’t need or want to know the cyber jargon that gets bandied about,” she said. “It's really important the information we give them is kept simple and relevant.
“It’s about giving them the understanding, knowledge and confidence to do those everyday tasks online in a language they can take away with them so they benefit.”
Rachel Davies, centre right, with DCI Debbie Hatch, left Bobby Van Stay Safe Online Manager Toni Evans and Director Jennie Shaw, right
Rachel’s appointment has been welcomed by Detective Chief Inspector Debbie Hatch, who leads Wiltshire Police’s Fraud, Digital Intelligence and Investigation Unit. “She's a true asset and it’s phenomenal that she’s taken her skill set and knowledge to the Bobby Van,” she said.
“We’ll still be able to benefit from those skills, as will the people of Wiltshire, because fraud is so vast, Wiltshire Police has to have partnerships to be able to tackle it. People who access the Bobby Van might feel more comfortable in speaking to its volunteers and we can support them by signposting them to the right place.”
Bobby Van Director Jennie Shaw said Rachel’s appointment will help extend the Stay Safe Online team’s reach. “Rachel is a very good communicator because of her background in community policing and her knowledge will be a real asset to us,” she said. “I’m absolutely delighted she has decided to join us.”
Her role will be to promote the Stay Safe Online service, which is offered through referral by the police or self-referred through contacting the Bobby Van. “I want to broaden the delivery of the cyber protect message through presentations and community initiatives, working closely with Wiltshire Police and trying to increase the referrals coming in,” she said.
“It’s a privilege to work for the Bobby Van and continue delivering a community style policing. There’s not any other service like this in Wiltshire and if you have an older relative at home and you think they would benefit, it’s a free service – so why would you not refer them?”
To talk to someone about a referral contact BobbyVanOnlineSafety@wbvt.org or call 01225 256867.