Executive Summary
From 1st January 2025 the PCC and the four Local Authority Trading Standards teams have joint funded Safer Communities to provide one FTE Fraud Financial Advocate, delivered through two part-time posts, one covering Hartlepool and Stockton, and one covering Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.
Aligned to the Police and Crime Plan priority; ensuring the right support for victims and vulnerable people, the aim of the roles is to:
- Help vulnerable victims of fraud recover their financial losses
- Reduce the risk of repeat victimisation
- Improve the physical and emotional welfare of fraud victims
- Improve levels of satisfaction with the services provided
The roles are funded through Proceeds of Crime Act funding, with equal contributions from the OPCC and each of Cleveland’s four Local Authority Trading Standards teams, thereby utilising funding seized from criminals by the police and courts to help recover victims’ financial losses and also to prevent further victimisation.
The current funding agreement expires 31st December 2026 as per previous DRF – Decision 2025/26 – 005: Extension of funding for Financial Fraud Advocate – Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner
The recruited post holders both have extensive experience in the banking industry. They have a thorough understanding of banking legislation around fraud recovery.
During the funding period the FFAs have recovered over £1m of vulnerable victims’ fraud losses. The impact on victim welfare of the roles has been significant, with one victim stating ‘My nightmare ended’ when the FFA role took on their case.
In order to maintain continuity of service, all funders have agreed to extend funding for a period of 15 months to 31st March 2028. Costings will be as per below:
- Jan 27 – March 27 – £13,904 – £2,780.80 per funder
- April 27 – March 28 – £57,692 – £11,538.40 per funder
Decision 2026/27 – 009: Fraud Financial Advocate Extension (application, 158kB)