New way of reporting fraud launched across North West

Action Fraud is a new central point of contact for members of the public, and businesses, to report fraud and financially motivated internet crime.

People can now call 0300 123 2040 or report online at www.actionfraud.police.uk

The website gives advice on how to avoid falling victim to fraud, and online reporting is available at all times.

Under the old system, fraud was reported directly to local police, but this did not enable officers to identify fraud patterns and repeat offenders nationally.

The new system allows all fraud to be reported through one central point, and the intelligence resulting from this enables seemingly unrelated incidents from around the country to be linked, helping to identify and disrupt criminal networks.

Action Fraud will record reports and provide callers with a crime number. Reports are then sent to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which is run by the City of London Police, who will use the information provided to identify crime patterns. This data is then analysed, and where appropriate the information is forwarded on to the relevant police force.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Jackson of GMP’s Economic Crime Section said: “One of the advantages of the new system is that police forces will only receive reports from the NFIB that are confirmed as having viable lines of enquiry, and this will help to stop time being wasted on those that don’t. Data provided by the NFIB also helps to identify trends and patterns regionally which allows us to undertake crime prevention initiatives.

“I want to reassure the public that our resources are focused on those fraudsters in the community who are causing the most harm, and since adopting the new system we have had a number of successful investigations that have resulted in significant sentences, and recovery of criminally obtained funds.”

Home Office Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne said: "Fraud is not a victimless crime. It significantly affects people's lives so it is vital that we take action.

"I am pleased that Greater Manchester Police are now going to start recording fraud using Action Fraud. This national service will not only improve our intelligence gathering capacity, but will also save forces time.”