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Fraud victims 'lucky' to get help | Fraud victims 'lucky' to get help |
(about 6 hours later) | |
One of Britain's top prosecutors has said victims of fraud have to be "lucky" to get it investigated. | One of Britain's top prosecutors has said victims of fraud have to be "lucky" to get it investigated. |
David Kirk, director of the Fraud Prosecution Service for England and Wales, said the crime was increasing because of the credit crunch. | David Kirk, director of the Fraud Prosecution Service for England and Wales, said the crime was increasing because of the credit crunch. |
He called for it to be made more of a priority, with more dedicated officers deployed around Britain. | He called for it to be made more of a priority, with more dedicated officers deployed around Britain. |
Ministers say police probes are improving and the number of prosecutions has been rising. | Ministers say police probes are improving and the number of prosecutions has been rising. |
Fraud is estimated to cost about £20 billion a year - but Mr Kirk told the BBC that pressures on police budgets had led to a drop in fraud squad officers from 600 to 400 over the past decade. | Fraud is estimated to cost about £20 billion a year - but Mr Kirk told the BBC that pressures on police budgets had led to a drop in fraud squad officers from 600 to 400 over the past decade. |
He said he welcomed coming improvements but believes more must be done. | He said he welcomed coming improvements but believes more must be done. |
"Police priority for fraud investigation is low - in fact it isn't on their list of priorities," said Mr Kirk. | "Police priority for fraud investigation is low - in fact it isn't on their list of priorities," said Mr Kirk. |
"If you were an ordinary member of public taking your complaint about a fraud along to your local police station, you would probably find that you would not get much response - you would have to be quite lucky to get it investigated. | "If you were an ordinary member of public taking your complaint about a fraud along to your local police station, you would probably find that you would not get much response - you would have to be quite lucky to get it investigated. |
Boiler room scams | Boiler room scams |
"That's not to say that fraud squads up and down the land don't do a fantastic job - they are some of the best officers in the police force." | "That's not to say that fraud squads up and down the land don't do a fantastic job - they are some of the best officers in the police force." |
Mr Kirk said a great deal of fraud was now taking place in the banking sector and through "boiler room" investment schemes selling worthless shares. | Mr Kirk said a great deal of fraud was now taking place in the banking sector and through "boiler room" investment schemes selling worthless shares. |
"Mortgage fraud has come back with a vengeance because of the credit crunch and organised crime is moving into mortgage fraud," he added. | |
In 2007, the government changed the rules over banking fraud, telling customers that banks would handle the complaints and decide whether to refer them to the police. | In 2007, the government changed the rules over banking fraud, telling customers that banks would handle the complaints and decide whether to refer them to the police. |
But figures from the Attorney General show the number of cases has doubled in the two years since the launch of the Fraud Prosecution Service - reaching 297 in the quarter to this September. | But figures from the Attorney General show the number of cases has doubled in the two years since the launch of the Fraud Prosecution Service - reaching 297 in the quarter to this September. |
National strategy | National strategy |
And Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said the City of London Police would soon become the national lead on fraud with 40 additional officers being recruited. | And Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said the City of London Police would soon become the national lead on fraud with 40 additional officers being recruited. |
"The government has allocated £29 million over three years to implement the recommendations of the Fraud Review. | "The government has allocated £29 million over three years to implement the recommendations of the Fraud Review. |
"This includes the creation of a National Fraud Strategic Authority, to start operating next month. | "This includes the creation of a National Fraud Strategic Authority, to start operating next month. |
"A new national lead police force on fraud is being set up, through the City of London Police, to lead some investigations and reinforce the policing response. | "A new national lead police force on fraud is being set up, through the City of London Police, to lead some investigations and reinforce the policing response. |
"It will provide counter-fraud specialist training, best practice and support to police forces in England and Wales." | "It will provide counter-fraud specialist training, best practice and support to police forces in England and Wales." |
But Mr Kirk added: "If you are a victim of a violent assault, that's a terrible thing. But it's also awful to have your life savings stolen by a fraudulent investment scheme that will ruin the rest of your life. It's not a victimless crime." | But Mr Kirk added: "If you are a victim of a violent assault, that's a terrible thing. But it's also awful to have your life savings stolen by a fraudulent investment scheme that will ruin the rest of your life. It's not a victimless crime." |
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