More police forces, Surrey and the four Welsh forces, have now signed up to Action Fraud. Their aim is better fraud investigations and cutting the time officers spend taking reports of the crime.
Surrey Police have joined Action Fraud, the UK national fraud reporting centre, which will act as a central point of contact for all information about fraud and financially-motivated internet crime.
Instead of Surrey officers taking reports themselves, they will redirect victims to Action Fraud where staff will receive reports, on the phone or online.
Information provided by the members of the public or businesses reporting an offence will then be assessed within Action Fraud and where a crime is established, it will be recorded and the victim will be provided with a national crime reference number.
The crime and all other information reports are then transferred each day to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) held by City of London Police.
There, all crimes and information reports are analysed with information received from a number of other agencies and organisations. Those crimes where there are positive lines of enquiry to follow up will then be sent to the relevant police force for further investigation.
All police forces across the UK have agreed to join the scheme by March 2013. Action Fraud is run by the National Fraud Authority with the NFIB and will provide numerous benefits including introducing a single point of contact for all reports of fraud, improving the sharing of intelligence and allowing staff to build up a clear picture of fraud activity nationally.
Five police forces have piloted the new national system, including Leicestershire, Kent and Greater Manchester Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Clay, of Surrey Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Team, said that joining Action Fraud will provide an improved service to victims of fraud. He said: “Fraud is not a victimless crime. It can devastate lives and it’s vital we take strong action to prevent people falling foul of criminals who prey on the vulnerable. Where the victim is reporting a crime in action, or is assessed to be vulnerable, we will continue to deal with the report as normal. But for all other such reports, the victim will make contact with Action Fraud, via the telephone or by logging on to its website.
“Following a successful pilot, by March 2013 every police force in England and Wales will be using Action Fraud to report incidents of fraud and internet crime in their area. Rolling out the service will free up police time and resources and allow us to build an accurate national picture to lead the fight against fraudsters.”
For further information – visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or call the Action Fraud contact centre on 0300 123 2040.
