Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Deferred
Paragraph: 63
Multiple police command chains for fraud cases create confusion and pass responsibility.
Conclusion
Within policing, there are various chains of command when it comes to tackling fraud cases, with investigations being conducted at a local level but with central bodies, namely the City of London Police and the National Economic Crime Centre, having responsibility for the overall approach to combatting fraud. This can create confusion and lead to the passing of responsibility for fraud cases between forces and other police organisations.
Government Response Summary
The government's response addressed corporate criminal liability and the Online Safety Bill, which are unrelated to the committee's observation about confusion in policing chains of command for fraud cases.
Paragraph Reference:
63
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government recognises that the current law on Corporate Criminal Liability does not adequately hold organisations and their senior persons to account for offences committed by the corporation and their associated persons. In November 2020, the Government asked the Law Commission to do a thorough examination of the issue and present options for reform. This review was published in June 2022. We are working in collaboration with colleagues across Government to consider the Law Commission’s paper and determine a case for strengthening the law on corporate criminal liability, including the creation of an offence for failure to prevent fraud. Similarly, the Online Safety Bill will, for the first time, create a duty on social media and search engine companies to put into place systems and processes to prevent fraud on their platforms. Ofcom will have extensive powers to enforce this duty, including significant fines and business disruption. Disrupting and Preventing Fraud 1.4