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| Fraud victims let down by 'inconsistent policing' | Fraud victims let down by 'inconsistent policing' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Some police forces are actively seeking reasons to drop investigations into fraud, a watchdog's report has warned. | Some police forces are actively seeking reasons to drop investigations into fraud, a watchdog's report has warned. |
| Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said an "inconsistent" approach to policing fraud in England and Wales left the public at high risk of scams. | Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said an "inconsistent" approach to policing fraud in England and Wales left the public at high risk of scams. |
| One officer told its inquiry the crime was not considered a priority because it does not "bang, bleed or shout". | One officer told its inquiry the crime was not considered a priority because it does not "bang, bleed or shout". |
| Police said "significant" work was under way to address the problems. | Police said "significant" work was under way to address the problems. |
| 'Everything is against fraud' | 'Everything is against fraud' |
| Inspectors visited 11 forces, as well as other agencies that help tackle fraud, and found examples that made "sorry reading". | Inspectors visited 11 forces, as well as other agencies that help tackle fraud, and found examples that made "sorry reading". |
| One force filed 96% of the cases it received from a national intelligence bureau without further investigation, despite inspectors finding a good degree of evidence, including suspects, in some of the cases. | One force filed 96% of the cases it received from a national intelligence bureau without further investigation, despite inspectors finding a good degree of evidence, including suspects, in some of the cases. |
| Another force had only two dedicated fraud investigators, the report found. | Another force had only two dedicated fraud investigators, the report found. |
| Other examples included: | Other examples included: |
| While there were also examples of investigators providing victims with excellent service, the report said gun crime, child sexual exploitation and drug supply were more likely to be prioritised. | While there were also examples of investigators providing victims with excellent service, the report said gun crime, child sexual exploitation and drug supply were more likely to be prioritised. |
| One analyst told inspectors: "Everything is against fraud. It is not a priority, not sexy, people don't report it and it is difficult to prove, which takes time, resources and money." | One analyst told inspectors: "Everything is against fraud. It is not a priority, not sexy, people don't report it and it is difficult to prove, which takes time, resources and money." |
| But the report said fraud can cause "enormous" psychological and emotional damage, highlighting that some victims have reported losing their entire life savings. | But the report said fraud can cause "enormous" psychological and emotional damage, highlighting that some victims have reported losing their entire life savings. |
| It concluded many fraud victims are not receiving the level of service they deserve. | It concluded many fraud victims are not receiving the level of service they deserve. |
| HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said stronger "strategic leadership" was needed. | HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said stronger "strategic leadership" was needed. |
| "Without that leadership the current situation will continue, with fraudsters feeling like they can act with impunity and victims feeling confused and disillusioned," he said. | |
| Cdr Karen Baxter, national police co-ordinator for economic crime, acknowledged there are areas that need improvement across policing. | |
| She said: "A significant amount of work has already started to address some of the issues raised in the report." | She said: "A significant amount of work has already started to address some of the issues raised in the report." |