Dyfed-Powys Police are encouraging people to be more vigilant online after it has been revealed that over £400,000 was stolen as a result of cyber crime in just six months.

February 7 marks Safer Internet Day and the police force has been speaking to people across the four counties in its region - Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys - about what the internet means to them.

Some revealed they used it as a vital tool to keep in touch with family members, while others cited it as a valuable aid for homework and research and as something that improves their lives through entertainment and online shopping.

Temporary assistant chef constable and police lead for cyber crime in Wales, Pam Kelly, said: "In general we are very good at looking after ourselves in our real offline lives, but the internet should be regarded as our hidden streets."

Police are recommending that people follow five steps to help protect from cyber crime.

The advice includes creating passwords made of three random words, using a secure website for online shopping, being wary of websites that are advertised in unsolicited emails, using your common sense and using a secure method of payment when purchasing items online.