NCA to close

The government has announced that the National Fraud Authority is to close next year, as part of the move to focus on economic crime with the creation of the National Crime Agency (NCA) according to Harris & Co accountants Northampton.

In a statement, the Home Office said the National Fraud Authority will close by 31 March 2014. Responsibility for strategic development and threat analysis will then pass to the NCA.

Under the new plans Action Fraud, the national fraud and financially-motivated internet crime reporting centre, will become the responsibility of the City of London Police, while work to raise awareness of fraud, including delivery of the national e-confidence campaign, will transfer to the Home Office. Future development of the Counter-fraud Checking Service will be led by the Cabinet Office.

Theresa May, Secretary of State for the Home Department said:

‘The National Crime Agency, with its Economic Crime Command, will bring a single national focus to cutting economic crime and will lead and coordinate the national fight against fraud, working with law enforcement agencies, regulators, government and the public, private and voluntary sectors. While the National Fraud Authority has been successful in raising awareness of fraud and improving co-ordination, the focus should now be on cutting economic crime.’