Countywide Scams Partnership marks first year of fighting fraudsters

December 19, 2019

Members of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Against Scams Partnership (CAPASP) met at Stanton House, Huntingdon on Friday 13 December 2019 to mark the partnership’s first anniversary.

CAPASP brings together over 20 local partners, groups and organisations who pool resources, initiatives and ideas to help people protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud and to support those who suffer the misfortune of becoming a victim. Just some of the CAPASP partners include the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Citizens Advice and Age UK.

The Annual Fraud Indicator estimates that scams cost the UK between £5-10 billion each year and last year the local economy of Cambridgeshire lost over £15 million to cybercrime alone. Scams are the product of organised and predatory criminals and CAPSASP are working hard to fight these fraudsters.

In September this year CAPASP partners delivered a free workshop to more than 40 businesses advising how to protect against crimes such as ransomware, invoice fraud and data theft. CAPASP partners have also been out in the community across Cambridgeshire raising awareness and providing advice and signposting to support that is available to all victims of scams.

Acting Police and Crime Commissioner, Ray Bisby, said: “Anyone regardless of age, gender, education or economic background can find themselves a victim of a scam. I am delighted to be working with CAPASP to stamp this scourge out of our county and am pleased to see the progress made in the first year.

“The partnership has been providing awareness training to scam awareness supporters in neighbourhoods across our county who in turn can support their local residents. Since it was launched last year, CAPASP have increased the number of organisations participating, demonstrating we have strength in numbers when it comes to stopping scams in Cambridgeshire.”

Nigel Sutton, Cambridgeshire Constabulary Cyber Security Advisor said: “Cambridgeshire Constabulary are actively working with partners of CAPASP to fight fraudsters and support their victims. Working in collaboration we are spreading awareness and giving practical advice for protecting yourself and your business from scams.”

Cllr Steve Criswell, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Communities and Partnership committee said: “Our county-wide partnership of public, private and voluntary sector organisations is committed to working together to stop scams and doorstep crime across the county. Over the past year we’ve been working hard to grow the legion of CAPASP supporters for whom we provide training and useful information to share with the people they serve.

“Becoming a supporter costs nothing yet brings huge rewards and I would like to encourage all our businesses, local councils and voluntary organisations to join us and make a real difference to their community. Have a look at our website www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/against-scams to learn more about the five simple steps to become an Against Scams Partnership supporter.”

To report a fraud, or suspected fraud, and share information to help stop others from becoming victims, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.