Economic Crime

Policy Scope:

This policy relates to the services provided by the Economic Crime Unit (ECU).  It affects all South Yorkshire police officers and staff involved in the investigation of crimes falling within the ECU remit (see below).

Policy Aims and Objectives:

The ECU provides a multi-functional, specialist approach to the investigation of economic crime including various types of financial fraud, the seizure of criminal assets and related matters, e.g. electoral fraud, allegations of public sector corruption.  The aims of this policy and its associated procedural instructions are to enable the ECU to develop best practice, to maintain partnerships with other bodies tasked with the investigation of financial crime and to educate those at risk.  

Management of Police Information

The Management of Police Information (MoPI) Guidance and Codes of Practice should be considered when implementing this policy and where indicated as appropriate, the associated procedural instructions (see below).  For more details, see D50744 Management of Police Information and Guidance on the Management of Police Information (ACPO/NPIA, 2010).  In summary, the relevant MoPI considerations are:

1) All information obtained in the implementation of this policy should be recorded on to the relevant system as soon as practicable in accordance with the requirements of the relevant business area and the Government Protective Marking Scheme (GPMS).

2) Avoid duplication by checking that the information is not already recorded within that system before creating a new record AND ensure that any record created identifies the source (where possible), recorder, recording date and purpose.

3) Any potential intelligence identified as a result of processing information should be submitted via a National Intelligence Record (NIR, CID 122).

4) Where possible, encourage information sharing within the service and with partners (see D50745 Information Sharing Agreements and D50746 Information Sharing Agreements - Instructions).

5) Ensure that all actions carried out in implementing this procedural instruction comply with D51361 Data Quality, Data Protection Act 1998, Human Rights Act 1998, Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Consideration should also be given to conducting a search on the Police National Database (PND).

Associated Procedural Instructions:

This policy is supported by the following procedural instructions:

D50508 Public Sector: Election Fraud/Malpractice, Allegations of Bribery/Corruption

D50509 Counterfeit Currency

D50876 Cash Seizure Under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA) 2002 - Procedures

D50925 Fraud

D51102 Disclosure of Information by HM Revenue and Customs in accordance with the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001

D51278 Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR)

D51331 Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) Review - Form MG/17

D51338  Economic Crime Unit - Structure and Responsibilities

D51541 Economic Crime - Financial Investigation as a General Investigative Tool

Equality Act 2010:

The Act creates a statutory requirement for all Functions and Policies (Including Procedural Instructions) to be analysed for their effect on equality, diversity and human rights, with due regard to the General Duty.

In principle, this document has been assessed for discrimination, which cannot be justified, among other diverse groups.

Human Rights/Discretion:

The purpose of providing policy is to give an indication to staff of the expected course of action.  However it is not possible to cater for every possible combination of factors that would justify a departure from stated policy.  The Human Rights Act 1998 requires the proper use of discretion at all times and nothing within this policy and associated procedural instructions prohibits the proper use of discretion in appropriate circumstances.

Where action is taken that has the potential to interfere with an individual’s Human Rights, the reasons behind the making of the decision to act in that way should be recorded on the appropriate forms, or where this is not practicable, in pocket books or policy logs.

Review Arrangements:

This policy, together with its Equality Assessment, will be reviewed every 2 years.

Rights of redress for members of the public:

Anyone who feels that a member of staff has behaved incorrectly or unfairly, or who is dissatisfied with organisational matters, service delivery or other operational policing issues, has the right to make a complaint.

Initial action should be taken in one of the following ways:

  • Complain in writing or in person to the Senior Officer at the appropriate police station or to the Chief Constable of the force concerned.
  • Visit a local Citizens' Advice Bureau
  • Contact a Solicitor

Rights of redress for South Yorkshire Police personnel:

South Yorkshire Police personnel who feel they have grounds for concern in relation to the implementation of policies may, as appropriate:

  • Pursue concerns through their line manager.
  • Contact a First Contact Advisor.
  • Pursue a grievance formally through the South Yorkshire Police Fairness at Work Procedure.
  • Seek advice from their staff association or trades union.

  • Use procedural instruction D50241 Management of Complaints, in the section entitled Handling Complaints relating to Direction and Control. 

Start: 

15 January 2007.

Equality Analysis: 
application/pdf iconD50836 Economic Crime and Assoc PIs.pdf