Banking industry police unit tops £400 million in fraud savings
Latest figures show that the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) - the specialist police unit that tackles UK card and cheque fraud crime - has passed the £400 million mark in reduced fraud activity since its launch ten years ago. The work of the Unit has undoubtedly contributed to the current downward trend in card fraud losses.
The Unit was launched on 29 April 2002 and became permanent two years later following a successful trial, which was jointly managed by the banking industry and the Home Office. The DCPCU is now fully sponsored by the banking industry, which invests nearly £5 million per year in the Unit's operation.
The DCPCU comprises officers from the City of London and Metropolitan police forces who work alongside a team of banking industry fraud investigators and support staff. Although London-based, investigations are nationwide, targeting the organised criminal gangs responsible for card and cheque fraud.
Since its inception, the DCPCU has:
Achieved £400 million in savings from reduced fraud activity - equating to £750,000 per week.
Recovered 75,000 counterfeit cards
Recovered 331,000 compromised card numbers
Secured 269 convictions on fraud related matters - an average of more than one successful prosecution per fortnight over the last decade.
James Brokenshire MP, Minister for Crime and Security at the Home Office said: "The DCPCU continues to be a valuable asset in the fight against fraud. It serves as an excellent example of how a public and private sector partnership can work together effectively.
"I visited the Unit again recently and was impressed by the sheer scale of the work it undertakes, as well as the dedication and professionalism of all those involved. The Unit's exemplary record over the past ten years is testament to that."
Particular highlights over the past ten years include: the Unit's work with other police forces, including Europol and Interpol, to bust several organised crime gangs responsible for setting up counterfeit card factories in the UK; receiving a judge's commendation in 2003 for excellent investigative and court preparatory work; and winning the International Association of Financial Crime Investigator's (IAFCI) European Investigation Unit of the Year award in 2008.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Barnard, who heads up the DCPCU, said: "The success we've had in cracking down on card and cheque fraud over the past ten years is down to very effective collaboration. By working hand-in-hand with the banking industry and other police forces we continue to disrupt the organised gangs committing these crimes, sending out a strong message to them that they will be caught and brought to justice.
"Advances in technology and the advent of new ways to pay, such as mobile payments, have brought different challenges to those the Unit faced ten years ago. However, the DCPCU is determined to stay at the forefront of crime prevention, tackling payment fraud in whatever shape and form it exists."