EIGHT out of 10 cybercrimes could be avoided by taking certain safety precautions, the chief constable of Cheshire Police has revealed.

Simon Byrne along with the police and crime commissioner John Dwyer will be taking to social media today, Tuesday, as part of a national campaign to promote internet safety by using the hashtag #shareaheart.

Mr Dwyer said: “Nowadays the internet is with us wherever we go, through smartphones, tablets, all things we have with us every day and often couldn’t live or work without.

"It’s vital that we all work together to make the internet safe, by taking the right precautions when on-line and reporting any content that we come across which is potentially harmful or dangerous."

Chief constable Simon Byrne added: “While we hear a lot about cybercrime, the simple truth is that eight out of ten cybercrimes are preventable if people follow simple steps.

"This will be at the heart of this campaign.”

These precautions include not sharing personal information, opening email from strangers or accepting social media request from people you don't know.