Overview

• Fraud accounted for 4.1 million incidents in 2024, making up 43% of all crime in England and Wales, yet only 14% of cases are reported, and prosecutions remain low.
• The Police Foundation recommends creating a UK Crime Prevention Agency and a national fraud policing body with ring-fenced budgets and tasking powers.
• Experts highlight the inadequacy of the UK’s 1960s-era localized policing model in addressing modern, cyber-enabled, cross-border fraud.
• Victims of fraud report significant mental health impacts, including anxiety, panic attacks, and long-term loss of trust, underscoring the need for enhanced support systems.
• The government is expected to announce an expanded national fraud strategy later this year, responding to growing calls for systemic reform and private-sector collaboration.