Action Fraud: Lincolnshire Police has joined the world’s first scheme aimed at reducing the cost and burden on police officers filling in forms related to online fraud.
Detective Sergeant Ian Jarman, of the Lincolnshire Police Economic Crime Unit, said that joining Action Fraud will provide an enhanced service to victims of fraud.
Lincolnshire Police has joined the world’s first scheme aimed at reducing the cost and burden on police officers filling in forms related to online fraud.
From boiler rooms to eBay scams, fraud is big business, particularly online, and the latest national figures suggest it is a £73 billion a year crime — based only on the crimes that are reported and recorded.
Set up and run by the National Fraud Authority, Action Fraud is a one-stop reporting centre which will handle reports of volume fraud from March 2013.
Lincolnshire Police, along with other East Midlands forces, joined the scheme on January 1.
Instead of local officers taking reports themselves – at an estimated 15 minutes per report – victims will be asked to report the crime to Action Fraud, either by phone or online.
Information from businesses, members of the public and charities will then be sent on by Action Fraud to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which also receives information about possible fraud from the police, banks and government, among others.
This national body of information will then be assessed, with an expectation that only 15% of it will then translate into crimes requiring investigation. It will then send packages for investigation to local forces, national agencies (SOCA) or others (Department of Work and Pensions).
Every month, the NFIB will send reports to all forces setting out the profile of crime reports and information to ensure Forces have a clear picture of what is happening locally. Additionally, the monthly reports will contain information about national threats and trends.
Currently, on-line shopping and auction fraud is the most common type of crime report.
The only exception to the new national process will be “crimes in action”. Such reports will still need to be managed by host forces to whom the reports are first made and recorded as such on local systems. Once taken, these crime in action reports will need to “keyed in” to the national Action Fraud website by officers.
Detective Sergeant Ian Jarman, of the Lincolnshire Police Economic Crime Unit, said that joining Action Fraud will provide an enhanced service to victims of fraud:
“Where the victim is reporting a crime in action, or is assessed to be vulnerable, we will continue to deal with the report as normal. But for all other such reports, the victim will make contact with Action Fraud, via the telephone or by logging on to its website. Based on the experiences of the pilot forces, it estimated that the new reporting system will save Lincolnshire Officers in excess of 500 hours per year from taking reports from alleged victims.”
“It is estimated that only 15% of all information reported actually constitutes a crime requiring investigation, and the NFIB will send packages for investigation to the most appropriate authority – SOCA, the central e-crime unit, the Department of Work and Pensions or individual forces,” Detective Jarman explained.
“Clearly, such a system has the potential to save us hundreds of hours spent filling in reports. It provides the public throughout the UK with just one point of reference, and will mean that our time is spent conducting actionable investigations and preventing scams, rip-offs and cons in the first place.”
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A seven-year-old girl from Immingham has raised more than £2,500 to help rebuild her local park after it was severely damaged in an arson attack earlier this year.
Elysia Shakespeare was really upset by the irreparable damage caused to the main climbing frame at Pilgrim Park, which was set ablaze by youngsters in an arson attack in April.
The park is one of Elysia’s favourite places to play and after the shocking attack she decided to try to help.
She organised a sponsored walk across the Humber Bridge and enlisted support from local post office staff to raise the sum, which has now been presented to the council.
The blazing fire at Pilgrim Park in April this year which destroyed the main climbing frame. | Screenshot: BBC Look North/BBC News hub
Lee Shakespeare, Elysia’s step-dad, speaking to Look North. | Screenshot: BBC Look North/BBC News Hub
Lee Shakespeare, Elysia’s step-dad, told BBC Look North that the council plan to replace some of the smaller apparatus first.
He said: “I’ve asked Elysia to jump online and come up with some drawings of ideas for what she actually wants to replace the old climbing frame area with.”
Elysia has suggested that she wants a “big” climbing frame, to start with.
Pilgrim park holds a special place in children’s hearts in Immingham, and it is hoped, with Elysia’s money, and other grants, the council will be able to make improvements for her, her friends and for subsequent generations.
A Lincoln care home resident had a day she’ll never forget after celebrating her 106th birthday by being served lunch by a butler in the buff.
Norah Shaw received close to 200 birthday cards after an appeal from Tennyson Wharf Care Home in Burton Waters.
As well as being served lunch by a buff butler provided by Butlers in the Buff, Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer Eleanor Mattley, as well as cake and wine.
Norah enjoyed chatting to her buff butler Ed. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
The care home said: “Well, what an absolutely fantastic day for a truly special lady.
“We would just like to say a huge thank you to every single person who sent Norah birthday cards and presents. We are all so touched by the heartwarming kindness that has been shown. It really has been astonishing.
Norah even got a card from The Queen. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“Norah was blown away with the generosity and kindness so thank you to each and and every single person for being so amazing. It was so lovely to all be a part of seeing Norah enjoy them all.
“As you can see, Norah thoroughly enjoyed her butler in the buff surprise. The amazing kitchen supplied a wonderful afternoon tea which Ed, the butler served to Norah. What an experience that was for everyone involved.
Norah celebrating a birthday she will never forget! | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Staff enjoyed celebrating Norah’s birthday with her. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer – Eleanor Mattley. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“We finished the day with a special performance from Norah’s all time favourite singer Eleanor Mattley Productions – Care Home Entertainment with prosecco and cake. The atmosphere was amazing as staff and residents joined together in song and dance for a truly magnificent afternoon.”
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