Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Deferred
Paragraph: 48
Planned Action Fraud replacement focuses on technology, neglecting victim experience improvements.
Conclusion
We welcome the Government’s plans to replace Action Fraud with a new service in 2024; however, we understand from the Government’s evidence to our inquiry that the planned changes are focused on the technology underpinning the service, primarily improving the analytical tools applied when a crime is reported rather than improving customer experience. While this is an important development, changes to the service also clearly need to bring about improvements in the victim’s experience of reporting a fraud crime.
Government Response Summary
The government's response discussed reforms to the disclosure regime in the criminal justice system and the Attorney General's guidelines, rather than addressing improvements to the customer experience of Action Fraud's replacement service.
Paragraph Reference:
48
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Effective disclosure of unused material remains a crucial part of a fair trial and is essential to avoiding miscarriages of justice. However, the Government recognises that disclosure remains one of the most complex issues in the criminal justice system, particularly in cases with significant amounts of digital material. The 2018 Attorney General Review of disclosure in the criminal justice system highlighted significant concerns with the culture around disclosure, engagement between relevant parties (prosecutors, investigators, and defence practitioners), and the challenges of modern technology. Following the review, the Guidelines were revised and published in December 2020. In May 2022, the Attorney General’s Office published the first annual review of the Disclosure Guidelines, which concluded that the current Guidelines are a functional and effective tool, but noted that future work may be needed to revisit disclosure in complex crime. Further amendments were made to the Guidelines in order to deliver improvements. We continue to work closely with operational partners to consider how further improvements can be made. The forthcoming fraud strategy will detail our aim to ensure the disclosure regime meets the needs of complex fraud cases. Prosecuting Fraud 1.3