The official fraud reporting and intelligence body Action Fraud has become part of the City of London Police. It has now joined with the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) at the City of London Police. According to the authorities it’s to provide a more closely coordinated end-to-end service for victims of fraud and cyber crime.
The Home Secretary announced the closure of the National Fraud Authority (NFA) in December 2013, and that responsibility for Action Fraud would transfer from the NFA to the City of London Police in its role as the national policing lead for economic crime. All of the other functions of the NFA have already been transferred to the National Crime Agency, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office.
City of London Police Commissioner Adrian Leppard said: “Having Action Fraud and the NFIB working together within the City of London Police will strengthen the processes that have been in operation since 2009 to collect, record and analyse reports of fraud and cyber crime. It will also pave the way for an even greater understanding of the nature and scale of the threat we face from fraud and cyber crime, and ensure we continue to improve the way law enforcement agencies tackle the serial fraudsters and organised crime groups that are causing most harm across the country.”
During a visit to the new office location of the joined up Action Fraud and NFIB service, Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims, Damian Green, pictured, said: “Since the launch of Action Fraud, we have seen an increase in the number of victims reporting fraud and cyber crime by providing an easy-to-access single point of communication.
“Over the past year, the City of London Police has directed more cases to law enforcement agencies across England and Wales for investigation, part of a sustained effort to dismantle criminal operations. By giving the City of London Police responsibility for the whole service, I expect to see further improvements in our fight against fraud and cyber crime.”
