More than 580 cases of cybercrime were investigated by the police last year.

The cases the police cybercrime unit probed included insults, threats and private violence on cyber-fora, computer misuse, cyber-fraud and forgery, according to Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela.

Also in 2014, over 200 different types of equipment were analysed by the police unit.

Mr Abela was speaking at the Global Conference on Cyberspace 2015 at The Hague, where representatives of different sectors of society gathered to discuss key developments in the cyber domain with a view to presenting a forward-looking agenda promoting a free, open and secure cyberspace.

Mr Abela applauded the proactive work carried out by the cybercrime unit in terms of prevention.

Officers from the unit last year gave more than 60 public talks, which were focused on raising awareness on how to avoid becoming a victim of computer-related crime and how to react should an incident occur.

In the future, Mr Abela said, the unit would remain active in participating in information campaigns aimed at empowering individuals as well as educating businesses on the responsible use of technology.

Mr Abela discussed migration and security with the Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

He emphasised the need to extend cooperation beyond EU member states and to include countries of origin and transit, especially in the quest to end and prevent further loss of life at sea.