Fraud in the Shadows: Barriers to Law Enforcement Prioritisation

Fraud has become the most prevalent crime in the UK, accounting for over 40% of all offences, yet it remains persistently deprioritised within policing. This article investigates the reasons behind this neglect, drawing on semi‑structured interviews with 24 experienced British police officers. While resource shortages and case complexity are often cited, the study reveals that deeper cultural and attitudinal factors within policing play a decisive role in shaping responses to fraud.

Recent studies identify fraud as a global issue with significant financial and social consequences. Reports estimate hundreds of millions of victims worldwide, with billions lost annually. In the UK alone, fraud losses reached £16.1 billion over three years, with victims reporting emotional distress, mental health impacts, and declining trust in institutions. Despite this, fewer than 4% of cases are investigated, and fraud receives only 2% of police funding. The literature highlights the scarcity of empirical research into police attitudes toward fraud, noting that most studies rely on secondary data or policy commentary. Existing scholarship identifies consistent themes of resource constraints, technical skill shortages, and fragmented organisational structures, but little attention has been paid to cultural perceptions within policing.

Against the above background, the research by Dr. Kassem and Prof. Turksen adopted a qualitative design, using semi‑structured interviews to capture officers’ lived experiences. Participants were recruited through professional networks, and interviews explored perceptions of crime prevalence, views on fraud as a priority, reasons for its neglect, and strategies for improvement. Thematic analysis identified three overarching themes: (1) perceptions of fraud’s prevalence and policing priorities, (2) barriers to prioritisation, and (3) strategies for enhancing fraud policing.

Findings show that while most officers recognise fraud as the most common crime, it is not treated as a priority. Barriers include limited capacity, resources, and skills; cultural and attitudinal factors; and the complexity of fraud combined with weak multi‑agency collaboration. Officers described fraud investigations as time‑consuming, requiring specialist knowledge and coordination with banks, yet often assigned to inexperienced frontline staff. Budget cuts and staffing constraints further limit capacity. Culturally, fraud is perceived as less urgent than crimes involving physical harm. Many officers view it as “victimless,” particularly when banks reimburse losses, and blame victims for failing to spot scams. The absence of public pressure or media attention reinforces this neglect, while younger officers often dismiss fraud as “dull” compared to more visible, action‑oriented policing.

The study also highlights the complexity of fraud, which frequently spans jurisdictions and requires cooperation with banks, insurers, tech companies, and regulators. Officers stressed that policing alone cannot tackle fraud effectively. Suggested strategies for improvement include investment in digital and financial expertise, tailored training, stronger collaboration with external agencies, enhanced prevention and public engagement, and leveraging media and funding to raise fraud’s profile. Crucially, cultural change is needed to reframe fraud as a legitimate and harmful crime, rather than a secondary concern.

The Full version of the article was published in September 2025:

Kassem R., and Turksen U., Beyond Resources: Understanding Police Attitudes to Fraud and the Barriers to Prioritisation, Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, (2025): https://www.emerald.com/pijpsm/article-abstract/doi/10.1108/PIJPSM-02-2025-0024/1298270/Beyond-resources-understanding-police-attitudes-to?redirectedFrom=fulltext