West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit are urging businesses to be on their guard after the force has seen an increase in reports of fraud.
During the last two years fraud offences have more than doubled in West Yorkshire, going from 142 in 2007 to 300 in 2009 and the current figures in 2010 will be slightly above the 2009 total, but not significantly.
Whilst credit card fraud has also shown a steady increase with over 1000 cases in 2009 this is likely to be reduced for this financial year.
In the current economic climate it is anticipated that a general increase in certain crime types will occur, this includes white collar crime, fraud and theft.
It is also the case that, as organisations tighten their processes, they are much more inclined to report such offences.
Whilst it has been identified that there has been an increase in organised crime to defraud businesses the most significant increase relates to lower value, less sophisticated and opportunist crime.
This is why West Yorkshire Police are working closely with banks and local business to raise awareness and to minimise this trend.
The Force has received a number of referred reports from the National Fraud Reporting Centre, which is an alternative method of reporting suspected fraud and welcomed by West Yorkshire Police.
The Fraud Unit within West Yorkshire Police has recently streamlined processes in order to bring offenders to justice in a timelier manner and the unit proactively tackles organised fraud.
The Force has achieved significant results through the Proceeds of crime Act in removing negative role models from society and stripping them of their assets. Much of this success is through information and support from the public through the ‘Why Should They’ campaign.?
