Dyfed Powys police ahead of the game on fraud

This week saw the publication of an official report – ‘Fraud: Time to Choose’ – which says that there are problems at a UK level in the way in which fraud is currently investigated, and police forces in general have a weak understanding of its demands.

However, Operation Signature, a pioneering national initiative aimed at reducing fraud within communities and provide additional support to vulnerable victims of fraud, has been recognised as best practice by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Operation Signature seeks to identify and provide support to the most vulnerable victims of fraud, often based on the age of the victim.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “I am very pleased that Op Signature in Dyfed-Powys is recognised nationally as best practice, and proves that we are dedicated in helping the vulnerable who are targeted by fraud.

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"I am committed to raising awareness of fraud, and recently based my 2019 St David’s Day Conference on the topic. I also fund a designated Fraud Safeguarding Officer who makes up part of the Financial Crime Team in Dyfed-Powys Police – an asset that not all Forces in the UK have in place”.

He says that businesses are also a common target of fraud, and Dyfed-Powys Police is arranging a series of ‘Safeguarding your Business’ events to raise awareness of how organised criminals can target businesses and what can be done do to prevent being targeted.

The Commissioner will be addressing the next event on 10 April, which is held in partnership with Aberystwyth University.

Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Evans, leading the event in Aberystwyth, said: “It’s important to us to support businesses in these increasingly challenging times in respect of threats by providing this type of event to make sure they are equipped to face these challenges head on. Therefore I’d encourage businesses to take up this opportunity – it could be the best thing you do for the company this year.”