Agenda item

Verbal presentation from the Commissioner of Police.

Members received verbal and written report updates on the Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (ECVCU) from the Commissioner of Police.

The Head of Action Fraud explained that the ECVCU was an initiative run in partnership between the CoLP, MPS and Action Fraud, with the BTPA recently dropping out as a result of having no victims.  The service had been funded for the last three years by the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime (MoPAC). 

The Head of Action Fraud explained that the focus was on the 5% most vulnerable victims, and that a survey had been carried out recently to gauge desire for the service.  The Head of Action Fraud explained that a 92-year old man had travelled from Surbiton to illustrate his approval of the service.  She explained that they had confirmed 18 cases in which the “re-scamming” of victims had been averted when followed up over a year later.

The Head of Action Fraud explained that the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime (MOPAC) had provided funding to enable a trial of a national roll-out involving Greater Manchester Police and the West Midlands Police.  She explained that there was a desire to ensure the success of the service prior to rolling out under the umbrella of Action Fraud.  An evaluation of the service by Age UK will yield findings in April 2018.

A Member asked how this service would link to the Action Fraud Victim Service.  The Head of Action Fraud explained that this service was a provision for all those victims that had not received any service.  She explained that the Victim Service demands the “soft skills” that victims require in order to feel supported from an emotional perspective, whilst the ECVCU provides the more technical Economic Crime skills and knowledge that needs to be complimented by this.  The desire would be to combine the two services, with the support of MOPAC, in order to provide seamless support for victims of economic crime.

The Chairman asked what factors determined that someone would be declared “vulnerable”.  The Head of Action Fraud explained that they would view that person’s current situation in relation to the crime.  This includes judging how much the sum of money lost would negatively affect their life.  A Member declared that the business case for funding should be centred on victims’ vulnerability.

The Chairman asked what the total funding available was for Action Fraud. The Head of Action Fraud explained that it was around £1m, with a possible increase to £1.7 the following year.  A Member noted that this was a significant sum, and asked how many staff this covered.  The Detective Chief Superintendent of Economic Crime explained that this made provision for 23 staff Members as well as service costs.

The Chairman asked what could be done by Members to support Action Fraud.  The Head of Action Fraud explained that any value added to Policing on a wider basis would help Action Fraud.   The Detective Chief Superintendent of Economic Crime explained that the victim code of conduct dictates that a minimum level of service is provided to victims, and that in order to maintain this standard support of victim care initiatives was crucial.  The Town Clerk explained that there has been movement to engage with PCCs and APCC to increase collaboration, towards which there has been Member input.  The Chairman stated his approval of this as a good example of pan-London working, and recommended that Members are supportive.

RESOLVED – That the Head of Action Fraud be heard.