FRAUD incidents in Cheshire have dropped by more than nine per cent in the last year.

Latest data shows the number of fraud and computer misuse incidents in the county has fallen from 6,019 to 5,464 over the last 12 months.

This total drop of 9.2 per cent comes as the Government launches a crackdown on such crimes with its ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign.

Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson is pleased with the positive impact the Government's long-term fraud strategy has had so far and believes the new campaign will continue to build on that success.

He said: “Fraud is a grim blight on our society and can ruin lives, so I welcome news the Government’s crackdown has cut fraud referrals to police by 9.2 per cent in Cheshire.

"The Government’s new ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign will build on this excellent progress, raising public awareness of fraud safety, and building on the long-term fraud strategy announced last year.”

The new campaign comes as part of the Government’s long-term fraud strategy which was set out by the Home Office in May 2023 with the ambition of cutting fraud by 10 per cent by the end of this Parliament.

Crime Survey of England and Wales data shows fraud and computer misuse have fallen by 13 per cent in the last year.

Since 2019, a range of reforms to tackle fraud has been implemented such as the creation of a new National Fraud Squad with more than 400 new investigators; the banning of SIM farms are used by criminals to send thousands of scam texts; and stopping cold calls for financial products so scammers cannot dupe people.

The Government has also signed the world’s first Online Fraud Charter, delivering action against fraudsters, in partnership with 12 leading tech companies – including Amazon, Facebook, Google and X (formerly Twitter).

The Secretary of State for the Home Department, James Cleverly MP, added: “Our bold fraud strategy is continuing to deliver for the British people.

“This new campaign is a powerful tool that we have added to our arsenal.

“I encourage everyone to stop, take a moment to think about fraud, and share this message far and wide."