| answer text |
<p>The Government recognises that to increase conviction rates, there needs to be
an increased pipeline of cases under investigation. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of
Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service (HMICFRS) carried out an inspection of
the police response to fraud last year. The review, published in April 2019, found
that significant improvements are required to ensure the model works more effectively
and efficiently, including the need for a much more co-ordinated national approach
with clear roles and responsibilities.</p><p>The Home Office is working closely with
law enforcement to ensure the recommendations set out in the HMICFRS report are implemented
effectively in order to improve the response to fraud at the local, regional and national
levels, including the support provided to victims of fraud.</p><p>In addition, working
with the Home Office, the National Economic Crime Centre are currently progressing
work to step up the immediate operational response to fraud, delivering an immediate
surge in operational activity across law enforcement to tackle fraud.</p><p>The scale
and complexity of the threat from serious and organised crime, including fraud, means
that we need to do more to develop our response. A formal review is in progress, led
by Sir Craig Mackey QPM, to identify the powers, capabilities, governance and funding
needed to enable us to improve our response to serious and organised crime in all
its forms, including fraud. The final report is due in Spring 2020.</p>
|
|
