Fraud devastates lives and undermines the UK’s economic security. The City of London Police is at the centre of the national fightback. Its specialist expertise and national reach make it uniquely equipped to tackle fraud at scale. The City of London Corporation are backing that leadership with major investments, including our Salisbury Square Development and long-term support for Report Fraud.
We were pleased therefore that earlier today, the Government launched its new Fraud Strategy at Guildhall. The strategy represents an expansion of the previous government’s approach and delivers on Labour’s manifesto commitment to an enhanced national response to fraud.
Tackling fraud effectively requires government, law enforcement, and private sector partners to work closely together. It was therefore encouraging to see a wide range of industry and banking experts, tech companies, government representatives, and law enforcement partners in the room for the launch today.
Notably, the strategy places a stronger emphasis on businesses as victims of fraud and aims to enhance support for all victims. A key investment is the new Online Crime Centre, bringing together law enforcement partners – including the National Crime Agency and the City of London Police – with private sector organisations to pool data, pursue offenders proactively, and tackle emerging threats.
The strategy also builds on foundations laid by the previous government, including major investments such as Report Fraud and the National Fraud Squad. It highlights the recently launched Report Fraud service by City Police, which is helping transform the UK’s response to fraud and cyber-crime and is strengthening protection and support for victims.
This work takes place against the backdrop of wider police reform and the establishment of the proposed National Police Service. As these reforms take place, it will be important to ensure that fraud continues to receive the strategic focus and prioritisation it requires, given the scale of harm it causes to individuals, businesses, and the wider economy.
The City Corporation will continue to support the City Police in its national leadership on fraud and its ongoing work to tackle this threat, including in the delivery of the Report Fraud service.
You can read more information about the launch here: City of London responds to Home Office Fraud Strategy
