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Nomination for Beacon fraud Hub who contact every Herts victimPublished 03/11/2020
A unique project which ensures every fraud victim in Hertfordshire is offered support and advice, has been nominated for a national award.
The Beacon Fraud Hub, created and funded by the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd, employs four specialists to tackle one of the highest crime types in the county.
Since it was set up in April 2019 the unit has contacted 8,000 fraud victims, and in the process have helped them recover £300,000.
Residents and businesses who have had money stolen by deception are telephoned and contacted in writing, in the first enhanced scheme of its type for victims in England and Wales.
Now the Fraud Hub, which is part of Hertfordshire’s victim care centre Beacon, have been shortlisted for Outstanding Customer Service in the Tackling Economic Crime Awards.
Praising the initiative Mr Lloyd said: “Fraud is the crime that you are most likely to fall victim to in Hertfordshire. Almost everyone has experience of being contacted by phone or email by someone trying to scam them out of money.
“Everyone is a potential target, but sadly it is often the elderly and most vulnerable that hand over money to these very convincing and sophisticated criminals.
“Hertfordshire residents and business are currently the only ones in the country to be offered this extra service.
“It has proved to be successful and I would like to thank the team for all their hard work and wish them good luck for with this award.”
Detective Chief Inspector Luke Whinnett, said: “Beacon and Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit have worked incredibly hard to ensure the Victim Fraud Hub has achieved the success it has.
“This crime type targets the most vulnerable and this initiative ensures they are able to receive an excellent level of support that the team has developed since its launch. I am delighted that they have been recognised for the outstanding work they have done this year.
“Fraud and cyber-crime are some of the few areas where crime has increased during lockdown and offenders are constantly developing new ways to commit crime which the team have to keep up with. It is important work and they have already helped so many people who have lost money and peace of mind.”
The Fraud Hub is based at the Beacon Victim Care Centre, in Welwyn Garden City. It includes professionals from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Victim Service Team and Catch22, the charity running Victim Care on behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Each month the Fraud Hub are sent a list of every Hertfordshire resident who has reported a loss to Action Fraud, the national Police reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime.
Frauds include losing money through a trusted person, dodgy investments, pension theft, romance fraud, internet hacking or bogus telephone calls or letters.
The Tackling Economic Crime Awards (TECAs) are open to anyone working in the UK - operating in the public, private and third sector.
The awards recognise and reward individuals, teams, initiatives and companies involved in tackling different areas of economic crime. Winners will be announced on the 9th December at a virtual awards ceremony.
Background –
Beacon - The Beacon team will contact all victims of crime and, where appropriate, work with specialist case managers to provide a complete wrap-around service to help victims to cope and recover. The team has direct access to Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust Single Point of Access team (Mental Health services), Hertfordshire County Council Social Care Access Team and Hertfordshire Home Security Service to ensure that they can provide assistance quickly and seamlessly.
Hertfordshire Beacon is staffed by Victim Service Team each day 8am – 8pm, in addition, Catch22 employees work Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm & Saturday 9am – 5pm. By phone: 0300 011 55 55 by email beacconvictimcare@herts.pnn.police.uk.
The Beacon Fraud Hub, created and funded by the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd, employs four specialists to tackle one of the highest crime types in the county.
Since it was set up in April 2019 the unit has contacted 8,000 fraud victims, and in the process have helped them recover £300,000.
Residents and businesses who have had money stolen by deception are telephoned and contacted in writing, in the first enhanced scheme of its type for victims in England and Wales.
Now the Fraud Hub, which is part of Hertfordshire’s victim care centre Beacon, have been shortlisted for Outstanding Customer Service in the Tackling Economic Crime Awards.
Praising the initiative Mr Lloyd said: “Fraud is the crime that you are most likely to fall victim to in Hertfordshire. Almost everyone has experience of being contacted by phone or email by someone trying to scam them out of money.
“Everyone is a potential target, but sadly it is often the elderly and most vulnerable that hand over money to these very convincing and sophisticated criminals.
“Hertfordshire residents and business are currently the only ones in the country to be offered this extra service.
“It has proved to be successful and I would like to thank the team for all their hard work and wish them good luck for with this award.”
Detective Chief Inspector Luke Whinnett, said: “Beacon and Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit have worked incredibly hard to ensure the Victim Fraud Hub has achieved the success it has.
“This crime type targets the most vulnerable and this initiative ensures they are able to receive an excellent level of support that the team has developed since its launch. I am delighted that they have been recognised for the outstanding work they have done this year.
“Fraud and cyber-crime are some of the few areas where crime has increased during lockdown and offenders are constantly developing new ways to commit crime which the team have to keep up with. It is important work and they have already helped so many people who have lost money and peace of mind.”
The Fraud Hub is based at the Beacon Victim Care Centre, in Welwyn Garden City. It includes professionals from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Victim Service Team and Catch22, the charity running Victim Care on behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Each month the Fraud Hub are sent a list of every Hertfordshire resident who has reported a loss to Action Fraud, the national Police reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime.
Frauds include losing money through a trusted person, dodgy investments, pension theft, romance fraud, internet hacking or bogus telephone calls or letters.
The Tackling Economic Crime Awards (TECAs) are open to anyone working in the UK - operating in the public, private and third sector.
The awards recognise and reward individuals, teams, initiatives and companies involved in tackling different areas of economic crime. Winners will be announced on the 9th December at a virtual awards ceremony.
Background –
Beacon - The Beacon team will contact all victims of crime and, where appropriate, work with specialist case managers to provide a complete wrap-around service to help victims to cope and recover. The team has direct access to Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust Single Point of Access team (Mental Health services), Hertfordshire County Council Social Care Access Team and Hertfordshire Home Security Service to ensure that they can provide assistance quickly and seamlessly.
Hertfordshire Beacon is staffed by Victim Service Team each day 8am – 8pm, in addition, Catch22 employees work Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm & Saturday 9am – 5pm. By phone: 0300 011 55 55 by email beacconvictimcare@herts.pnn.police.uk.
