Overview
- UK police reported 557 arrests in the latest Operation Henhouse, with £18.1m in cash and assets seized and account freezing orders against £9m.
- The campaign, coordinated by the National Economic Crime Centre and led by the National Crime Agency and City of London Police, involved every UK force and key partners including the Serious Fraud Office, National Trading Standards and the FCA.
- Officers conducted 172 voluntary interviews and issued 249 cease-and-desist notices, which are formal warnings that tell suspected offenders to stop unlawful activity.
- Investigators identified six overseas scam call centres, prompting the blocking of 283 phone numbers and 6.5 million calls, which police estimate saved the economy £2.1m.
- Merseyside Police paired enforcement with victim safeguarding as it seized £1.1m in cash, froze £100,000 and made seven arrests, and police say the first convictions from this intensification are now being reported.