Call for Prevent-style strategy to stop children engaging in cybercrime

UK cybercrime tsar will ask government to set up scheme to deter teenagers who often do not realise they are breaking law

Britain's cybercrime tsar will formally ask the government to set up a programme based on the controversial Prevent strategy to stop children as young as 12 becoming involved in sophisticated computer offences, the Guardian has learned.

Dr Jamie Saunders said training was needed to help spot teenagers at risk as many young internet users experiment with hacking or other cyber offences without realising that what they are doing is a crime.