Public launch of Report Fraud announced by City of London Police

Cyber crime and fraud are now the most common crime types in the UK, accounting for around 50% of all offences and costing the economy billions of pounds each year.

Cyber-enabled crime and fraud continues to grow in terms of both scale and sophistication, targeting individuals small businesses and major organisations alike. Report Fraud has been created in order to meet this challenge head-on, providing a “single and modern” national gateway for reporting and intelligence that will strengthen the collective response of policing, Government and the private sector.

Report Fraud is badged as “the most significant evolution” of the national capability. For the first time, it provides a single and modern national reporting, triage and intelligence platform for both cyber crime and fraud, enabling the City of London Police to lead policing’s 4Ps response – ‘Pursue’, ‘Protect’, ‘Prevent’ and ‘Prepare’ – at the national level. Through the new service, intelligence will be assessed and disseminated across forces, serious and complex cases will be identified for specialist investigation and victims directed into a consistent national standard of care and support.

Real-time collaboration  

The service also reflects the City of London Police’s position at the heart of the UK’s financial centre, with unparalleled access to industry, regulators and international partners. This proximity enables real-time collaboration, faster disruption of criminal networks and a stronger collective defence of the UK’s economic security, all supported by specialist capabilities and training delivered through the force’s Economic and Cyber Crime Academy.  

More than just technology, Report Fraud is the result of one of the largest transformation programmes ever undertaken by the City of London Police. Built from the ground up around the victim’s journey, it brings together the reporting of both cyber crime and fraud in one place for the first time, making it quicker, clearer and more supportive for people and businesses to come forward and ensuring that every report counts, in turn helping to protect others.  

Pete O’Doherty, Commissioner of the City of London Police and the senior responsible officer for delivering Report Fraud, said: “Cyber crime and fraud are the crimes most likely to affect people in this country, yet too often victims feel unsure where to turn or what will happen if they make a report. These crimes cause more than financial loss and often have devastating impacts on those targeted. We see the true cost of cyber crime and fraud when taking reports from those affected.”

O’Doherty added: “Report Fraud is a landmark step forward. The service puts victims first, gives them a clear national front door to policing and strengthens our ability, and that of every police force, to identify, disrupt and pursue the criminals behind these offences. This is not just a new service. It’s a major upgrade to the UK’s defences against economic crime.”

Better support

Fraud Minister Lord Hanson observed: “Report Fraud is a critical new tool in our fight against the scammers. It will deliver better support for victims, while affording law enforcement the necessary tools to investigate fraudsters’ operations. My thanks go to the City of London Police and all partners for their work to bring this crucial service to life.”

Lord Hanson also stated: “Every fraud report matters. It’s the first line of defence for yourself and others. Fraud can target anyone at any time, so we will continue to step up our efforts to ensure the UK remains the hardest place for scammers to operate.”

Tijs Broeke, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, observed: “Report Fraud marks a turning point in the national fight against fraud and cyber crime, making it easier for victims to come forward, strengthening intelligence and disrupting criminals at scale. The City of London Police is uniquely placed to deliver it, bringing unmatched expertise in fraud reporting, investigation and victim support. As the national lead force for fraud, the City of London Police is protecting the public, safeguarding businesses and the national economy and building the intelligence needed to prevent fraud before it happens.”

Years in the making

Chris Bell, service delivery director for the City of London Police, explained: “This service has been years in the making, shaped by victims, front line officers, industry and Government partners. It reduces the burden on people when they report, provides clearer advice and reassurance and generates richer intelligence that can be acted on quickly in order to stop cyber crime and fraud in their tracks.”

The City of London Corporation has provided significant financial support to the development and launch of Report Fraud, including a £13.2 million contribution. In addition, the organisation will deliver £2.5 million per annum towards the ongoing running costs of the new service, underlining its long-term commitment to tackling fraud, supporting victims and strengthening the UK’s economic security.