The Police Foundation warns that fraud policing must transform by 2030. Fraud now makes up 40% of crime in England and Wales, yet law enforcement still operates a localised model from the 1960s. Victims report poor service as criminals exploit cyber tools and cross borders. A report published this week calls for a wholesale shift in how police tackle fraud. It urges stronger national leadership, better skills, and closer private-sector cooperation.
Fraud now inflicts more harm than burglary and robbery combined. Fraudsters exploit global networks and emerging technologies. Without urgent reform, victims will continue to slip through the cracks. The Police Foundation’s report outlines a clear path: national leadership, private-public data sharing and stronger skills. By 2030, the UK can build a future-ready fraud response that protects citizens and restores trust. The time to act is now—victims deserve nothing less.
Alarming Rise in Fraud Cases
In the year to December 2024, the Crime Survey for England and Wales recorded an estimated 4.1 million fraud incidents, a 33% increase compared to 2023. By comparison, only 14% of these crimes reached the police or Action Fraud. In that same period, 1.2 million reports made it to forces, yet just 3,641 led to criminal charges.
The scale of economic crime dwarfs police resources. In March 2021, forces employed just 866 economic crime officers—0.64% of their workforce. Fraud accounts for 40% of all crime, yet forces struggle to match that scale. Further, Freedom of Information requests by Virgin Media O2 reveal that in 2023/24, only 6% of Action Fraud reports reached local forces. Three police services had no dedicated fraud officers at all.
The Police Foundation calls for a dedicated UK Crime Prevention Agency. It also backs a national policing body to coordinate fraud investigations alongside terrorism and organised crime. This new structure would hold a ring-fenced budget and task regional teams against cross-border threats.
Report author Michael Skidmore highlights the mismatch between crime and response. He cites “sophisticated online networks” that outflank reactive, geographically bound policing. Skidmore urges a “prevention-focused model” that stops scams before they reach victims. He proposes:
- National lead body with funding and powers over regional tasking.
- Private sector collaboration to share real-time fraud data.
- Skills uplift to train officers in cyber investigations and financial forensics.
- Public health approach by mayors and commissioners to raise fraud awareness.
The report stresses that prevention work must extend beyond policing. It calls on businesses to improve their online platforms and make them hostile to fraudsters.
Industry and Policing Responses
Virgin Media O2 blocked £250 million in fraudulent transactions last year. Company director Murray Mackenzie warns that prosecutions fell even as fraud rose by a third. He says fraudsters operate with “no real prospect of ever facing justice.”
Deputy Commissioner Nik Adams of City of London Police outlines ongoing efforts. His team leads a national economic crime strategy to boost investigator numbers. They use specialist powers to seize assets, including cryptocurrency, from scammers. The City of London also works with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. Together, they guide local forces on fraud-fighting best practices.
Despite these advances, 88% of 252 officers surveyed by YouGov said they lack resources to tackle fraud. One unnamed senior officer even laughed when asked about reviving the old National Fraud Squad. That reaction underlines the need for fundamental reform, not just new task forces.
Moving Toward 2030
The UK must take clear steps now to meet the 2030 deadline. First, Parliament should establish the UK Crime Prevention Agency. This body would centralise intelligence and direct a national fraud response. It would set service standards for all forces and ensure victims receive timely support.
Second, private firms must share data with police under mandatory regulations. Real-time alerts on suspicious transactions can halt scams in their tracks. Tech platforms should embed stronger identity checks and screen for known fraud patterns.
Third, police training must evolve. Officers need skills in blockchain analysis, digital forensics and social media investigations. Universities and training providers should offer specialised courses in economic crime.
Finally, public awareness campaigns can reduce the number of victims. Regional mayors and police and crime commissioners must lead local health-style drives. They should teach citizens how to spot phishing, romance fraud, and courier scams. Collaboration with charities and community groups can deliver tailored advice to older and vulnerable people.
A Call to Action
Even when police build strong cases and courts secure convictions, fraudsters often receive light sentences. Judges sometimes hand down community orders or short prison terms, even after losses reach hundreds of thousands of pounds. These lenient penalties send the wrong message. They reduce the risk for criminals and leave victims feeling let down.
Without tougher sentencing, fraudsters face minimal deterrents. That gap in justice encourages repeat offenders and new would-be scammers. To curb the rising tide of fraud, courts must match the severity of the crime with meaningful punishments. Only harsher sentences can signal that the UK takes fraud seriously.
