A Current and Future Challenge to Contemporary Policing: The Changing Profile of Crime and the Police Response. Examples of Policing Fraud in Two Police Jurisdictions: England and Wales and South Korea

Abstract

This article considers recent developments in the policing of fraud and provides an evaluation of the police response to the growing problem of fraud in England and Wales and South Korea. The size and nature of the fraud problem has most recently been recognized by HMIFRS in its 2019 Report which, drawing on data provided by the Office of National Statistics, notes that fraud now makes up almost one-third of total crime and was now the largest stand-alone crime type. In light of this changing profile of crime growing interest has been directed at the police response to this ever-increasing challenge. Drawing on data provided by a variety of sources the current role and status of the police response in England and Wales is identified and explored. The evidence suggests that a police organizational culture has proved reluctant to engage with this now major crime problem. The article then considers the police response to fraud in South Korea. As is argued although sharing some cultural features with the police service in England and Wales it would appear that inhibitions arising from these can be successfully challenged and overcome. It is also evident, however, that alternative enforcement structures may be needed to fully engage with the fraud problem but what form they should take remains uncertain and the subject of continuing debate.