The UK is confronting a fraud epidemic of unprecedented scale, with new figures revealing this deceptive crime now represents 44 per cent of all offences in England and Wales.
Behind the staggering statistic of 4.1 million incidents lie millions of victims experiencing shame, helplessness, and devastating mental health impacts, while fraudsters have stolen over £1 billion in the past year alone.
A New Fortress Against Fraud
Rising above Salisbury Square in the heart of the City of London, construction cranes are laying the foundations for a national fightback. This £600 million investment will create a comprehensive justice hub scheduled to open in early 2027.
The landmark development will become the new headquarters for the City of London Police and feature 18 state-of-the-art courtrooms specifically designed to tackle economic crime.
This coordinated approach brings investigators, prosecutors, and analysts together under one roof, ensuring that justice can move as swiftly as the crimes it aims to confront.
Building on Existing Success
While construction continues, the City of London Police isn't waiting to intensify its efforts against scammers. Recent performance shows fraud arrests have increased by 22%, with charges up 128% and convictions rising by 130%.
The Force's Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit has already prevented £800 million in losses for the financial services industry through fraud disruption and prevention measures.
Next year will see another significant advancement as a new national service replaces Action Fraud, transforming reporting and analysis capabilities to handle the 300,000 fraud reports made by victims annually.
Securing London's Future
Once completed, Salisbury Square will cement the Square Mile's reputation as a secure, world-leading business district that vigorously protects the rule of law.
The development supports the 'Destination City' growth strategy while complementing other major City Corporation investments including the Barbican Centre renewal and the new London Museum.
As International Fraud Awareness Week highlights, every message, transaction, and click represents a potential target for criminals. The Salisbury Square development stands as both a symbol of resilience and a crucial test of whether Britain's justice system can keep pace with evolving economic crimes.
The City of London Corporation, its Police force, and partners have committed to delivering a resounding yes to that challenge.
