Schoolkids needs to be taught about the dangers of fraud amid concerns teenagers and young adults are at greater risk than ever of being scammed.
police chiefs and criminal experts insist action must be stepped up around the awareness of fraud, saying highlighting dangers and risks are currently left to banks and charities. Teachers, doctors, social workers and community leaders all need to get involved in helping prevent young people falling victim to what is one of the fastest growing criminal offences, a new report published by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster states. Fraud is the fifth most reported crime in the West Midlands and it’s thought around one in 12 people in the region fall victim to fraud every year. Half of all individual fraud victims lose less than £80 and three quarters lose less than £250 - but losing even relatively small amounts can still have a big impact on those who don't have much money. READ MORE: The cars most likely to pass and fail their MOT - revealed And, with a huge rise in offences over recent years, experts say it's time to adapt to changing times and take the threat of fraud more seriously. Michael Levi, a professor of criminology at Cardiff University and the report author, he said: “Frauds are neighbourhood crimes that attack people of all generations and though there are excellent websites and guides, we cannot afford to leave it to Government to spread the message. "Schools, families and
Friends need to have conversations and reduce isolation and sometimes the shame of being a victim to prevent frauds and be more resilient.” The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “I welcome the report as an important contribution to the prevention and tackling of fraud. That is because the prevention of fraud will always be better than having to deal with the consequences of fraud. “Sadly, thousands of people in the West Midlands are victims of fraud every year and not enough is being done to prevent and tackle it, or bring the perpetrators to justice. Cardiff University have concluded that a public health approach is needed. "That means far more people becoming involved in education and raising awareness of the dangers that exist and helping and supporting people who are most vulnerable to stay safe. We also need the Government to invest far more in policing, so crimes like fraud can be addressed head on.” READ NEXT: Police make attempted murder arrest after man set alight on city street Edgbaston fireball cops probe potential link with
London attack as anti-terror police enter investigation Murder-accused says he was 'framed after cigarette with his DNA found at Brierley Hill flat murder' - court told School where pupils 'climb onto roof and physically threaten staff' given worst Ofsted rating Man in court after great-gran mauled to death by two dogs in Rowley Regis