Case acceptance criteria

All of these criteria MUST be met

• Does the case fall within the force priorities
• Does the case fall within the Force Local Policing Plan 2008-2011
• Does the case fall within the Force Control Strategy
• Is it a crime as determined by National Crime Recording Standard.

One of these criteria MUST be met

• Is it a crime committed within the City of London
• Has an initial investigation been conducted by a City of London Police (CoLP) geographical BCU. If so has the case been reviewed and referred by the DI/DCI
• Has the case been referred to CoLP by the Serious Fraud Office
• Has the case been referred to the CoLP by a South East force (lead force responsibilities).

Two of these Criteria MUST be met

• Is it a case where the offences have been committed in many locations and has many victims. Where there is a high volume/low value element that has an accumulated significant loss
• Does the case involve a breach of trust by someone with professional fiscal responsibilities (Solicitor/Broker etc)
• Will the case involve joint partnership working with other government agencies
• Is the case likely to undermine confidence in leading UK institutions or otherwise undermine the economy
• Is it a case where law enforcement action could have a material deterrent effect
• Does the case indicate a risk of more substantial/extensive fraud occurring
• Has the victim devoted significant resources to fraud prevention or has been willing to participate in appropriate crime prevention partnerships or otherwise assist the police
• Was the crime committed by members of a Board or other senior manager.

Criteria for NON selection

If any of these Criteria are met then the case will NOT be investigated

• Cases where the victim's motive for making the complaint appears to be malicious, primarily focused on recovering monies owed, or designed to distract attention from the complainant's own involvement in the fraud ( Such cases might nevertheless merit investigation, particularly where there are other victims involved)
• Cases where victims are not prepared to co-operate fully with investigation and prosecution, although the police will always consider carefully how to assist victims and witnesses who have concerns about safety
• Frauds more suitable for investigation by another enforcement or regulatory agency.

If any of these Criteria are met the case may not be investigated

• Cases where another police force has decided not to investigate other than for geographical reasons.
• Frauds that have already been investigated by the police or other enforcement agency or that have been the subject of regulatory proceedings, unless significant new evidence has come to light or the previous investigation had a narrow remit that did not address all the relevant issues
• Cases where the existence of other proceedings might have a detrimental effect on a criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution.