Fraud fighting volunteer recruits join GMP’s Economic Crime Team

To mark the start of International Fraud Awareness Week 2023, GMP highlights the work volunteers do in the Economic Crime Unit to protect and prevent fraud in communities across Greater Manchester.

Our volunteers are an integral part of fighting fraud, and this week, 10 new recruits attended training sessions and learned more about crime prevention in relation to online fraud, cold calling, romance fraud, and bank account and pension frauds, which often target older people.

The volunteers go above and beyond when speaking with vulnerable victims, often providing a wellbeing service and signposting them to any additional help from our partner agencies.

The recruits have all gone through an induction programme within our Economic Crime Unit, receiving in-depth fraud awareness training. Within their role they are deployed across the force, from Wigan to Stockport – the volunteers travel round and present fraud awareness training and crime prevention to all members of society.

The volunteers come from all walks of life and have different careers, meaning we have a wealth of experience that can be shared to our communities. Some volunteers are retired, whilst others work for the council, solicitor firms, or banks. Collectively they hold a wealth of experience that is invaluable.

The new Economic Crime Unit volunteers

Detective Sergeant Stacey Shannon of GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “Our Fraud support volunteers mean that we can do additional events and presentations that we would not have been able to do without them. Our reach to the community is expanded greatly with their support.

“Fraudsters can target anybody and it can happen to everybody, our work focusses on giving the public crime prevention advice to reduce the chances of them becoming a victim of fraud whist also protecting and supporting those who have fallen victim once a fraud has occurred.

“Fraud is the UK’s largest crime, last year, within Greater Manchester victims lost over £83 million pounds to fraud. Our new fraud volunteer recruits will play an integral part in our fight against this time of crime.

“The team highlight the ongoing commitment that volunteers provide to our communities, from supporting to victims of fraud offences to giving presentations to help prevent and reduce fraud, their work is invaluable to policing.

“On behalf of Greater Manchester Police, I’d like to thank all the volunteers who strive to create a safer Greater Manchester, without their time and support we would not be able to contact the amount of victims we do – and for this we are really grateful for their unwavering commitment and positivity.”

Could you be a volunteer to fight fraud and keep our communities safe? Keep an eye out for volunteer recruitment opportunities on Careers | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)