Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Deferred
Paragraph: 73
Fraud lacks police investigative priority due to absence of performance accountability data.
Conclusion
Fraud is not an investigative priority for police forces, partly because it is not a crime type for which forces are held accountable for their performance. Fraud statistics are not included in local and regional performance data despite most of these crimes still being investigated at the local and regional level. Without this data it is impossible to identify weaknesses in the response to these crimes and boost investigations of fraud crimes.
Government Response Summary
The government's response focused on raising public awareness on fraud through a forthcoming strategy and a new public engagement team, rather than addressing fraud as an investigative priority for police or the inclusion of fraud statistics in performance data.
Paragraph Reference:
73
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government recognises the importance of raising public awareness on fraud, which will form a key part of our forthcoming fraud strategy. One of best ways to safeguard the public is to ensure people are well-informed about the threat and how to protect themselves. That is why we have established a new public engagement team at the NECC/NCA to drive work across the public and private sectors to coordinate anti-fraud communications, analyse what is most effective, and create consistent messages for the public. There are numerous existing campaigns that deliver fraud messages, including National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Aware, FCA’s ScamSmart, UK Finance run Take 5 To Stop Fraud, and others run by voluntary and private sector organisations. Action Fraud also conduct regular awareness raising campaigns. We continue to support partners to ensure these communications campaigns are well coordinated, clear and empower the public.