City of London Police to take over Action Fraud cyber crime reporting centre

The City of London Police is taking over responsibility for Action Fraud, the national fraud and financially-motivated internet crime reporting centre.

The transfer is taking place as Home secretary Theresa May announced the closure of the National Fraud Authority, which was previously in charge of Action Fraud.

Going under the remit of the City of London Police will "create a stronger end-to-end fraud reporting and analysis system," May said.

She added: As part of the government's reforms to policing and the fight against serious and organised crime, I have decided to close the National Fraud Authority and realign its responsibilities to reflect the creation of the National Crime Agency."

The National Crime Agency (NCA), created in October, will now lead the strategic development and threat analysis, previously carried out by the NFA, while the Home Office will take over the work to raise awareness of fraud, including delivering the national e-confidence campaign. Furthermore, the Cabinet Office will develop the Counter-fraud Checking Service.

"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," May said.

The NFA will close by 31 March 2014.

The Met Police recently launched a new cyber crime unit, replacing the PCeU, to focus on tackling London-based cyber crime. It said that it aims to "liaise closely" with City of London Police in tackling financial cyber crime.