South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has welcomed the Government's new Fraud Strategy, which aims to prevent fraud, protect victims, and take tougher action against perpetrators. The new strategy will help drive down crime across the country.

Neighbourhood crime has decreased by nearly 50 per cent, and violent crime has fallen by 38 per cent since 2010, thanks to the actions of this Government. But it is increasingly clear that new technology has made fraud the UK's most prevalent crime, constituting 41 per cent of all crime in England and Wales.

The new strategy involves working with telecommunications businesses to stop fraud the source, including fraudulent text messages and cold calling. It also places a duty on social media companies to prevent fraud.

The National Fraud Squad, backed by £100 million of investment, will target fraudsters overseas, and sentences for this crime will be reviewed.

The law is also being changed so that more victims can get their money back from their bank. Action Fraud's services will be improved and expanded, and it will be easier to report fraud online preventing crimes from the outset.

Philip Dunne said:

“The Government's new Fraud Strategy is a crucial step towards tackling fraud, which has become the UK's most prevalent crime. Fraud conducted online has been devastating too many people here in Shropshire, causing financial and emotional harm to victims.

“I am pleased to see that the strategy will help protect victims, to make sure we prevent fraud, and take tougher action against perpetrators. It is important that fraudsters know that if they commit a fraud against members of the British public, they will be caught.

“These measures will prevent people's hard-earned money falling into the hands of unscrupulous criminals.”