Raising fraud awareness

Report: 8
Date: 12 December 2011
By: Director of Audit Risk and Assurance and the Director of Resources on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

In 2009 the Director of Audit , Risk and Assurance and the MPS Director of Resources jointly sponsored an initial programme to raise the level of fraud awareness within the MPS and MPA. On 14 June 2010 Corporate Governance Committee endorsed the programme and received an Audit Commission report, which summarised the outcome of the initial programme. The committee also endorsed an agreed action plan. A second round of workshops were held in 2011 and the attached Audit Commission report summarises the outcome and progress of this follow-up activity. A further series of workshops are planned for early 2012.

A. Recommendation

Members are asked to:

1. Note the progress of the programme of activity to raise fraud awareness;
2. Note recommendations from the original action plan that have been implemented; and
3. Accept the Audit Commission report and the updated action plan

B. Supporting information

Background

1. In the financial year 2008/09 a programme of events to raise the level of fraud awareness amongst managers and key financial personnel was conducted in the MPA and MPS.

2. A series of fraud awareness workshops were held. They were conducted by Audit Commission personnel and were based on their own toolkit comprising a pre-event anonymous on-line survey and a half-day interactive event involving electronic voting.

3. Fourteen events were held at which over 200 MPA and MPS staff attended. A shortened event was also held for the MPS Management Board.

4. The Audit Commission report on the outcome of the programme was accepted by this committee on 14 June 2010. The report contained a comparison of MPS results against those of other bodies and made twenty one recommendations to further improve the counter fraud culture and procedures within the MPS. Fifteen of the recommendations were agreed and a further three were agreed partially. Key initiatives were introduced to address the majority.

Progress

5. A series of 10 half day workshops to 350 senior police officers and staff were delivered between January and March 2011. The workshops followed a similar format as before, the sessions being preceded by a pre-event survey.

6. The attached Audit Commission report provides details of the following:

• A comparison of results of the 2011 on-line survey with the equivalent 2009 survey
• A summary of key issues identified in the 2011 survey and workshops.
• Progress in implementing recommendations from the 2009 report.
• Further action management plans to take in response to these recommendations.

7. The findings from this year’s workshops indicated that the majority of the 21 recommendations made in 2009 remain relevant and therefore no further recommendations were made. Appendix 1 to the Audit Commission report summarises the initial response to the 2009 recommendations and provides an update to show the current position and intended further action.

8. Particularly significant progress has been made as follows:

• A joint MPA/MPS Anti Fraud Strategy was approved by this committee in December 2010 and was published with a supporting implementation plan.
• Following comprehensive analysis a fraud risk assessment was presented to, and endorsed by, this committee in October 2011.
• Reviews of relevant Policies and Standard Operating Procedures have been initiated, e.g. Business Interests, Gifts and Hospitality.
• Implementation of Compliance framework.

9. The Audit Commission report concluded that there is an effective anti- fraud message within the MPS.

10. A further series of workshops are planned for early 2012.

C. Other organisational and community implications

Equality and Diversity Impact

1. This report has no direct implications but the individual policies and strategies that form the fraud prevention and detection arrangements will be subject to equalities impact assessments.

Consideration of MET Forward

2. The report supports the delivery of Met Forward. Funds lost to fraudulent activity would inhibit the MPS ability to fight crime and secure value for money.

Financial Implications

3. This report has no direct financial implications as the costs of implementing recommendations will be met from existing budgets.

Legal Implications

4. There are no direct legal implications arising from the report.

Environmental Implications

5. There are no direct environmental implications arising from the report.

Risk Implications

6. All recommendations made in the report have been categorised as ‘high’, ‘medium’ or ‘low’ risk as appropriate and the action plan has been updated accordingly.

D. Background papers

• Audit Commission Report – Raising Fraud awareness

E. Contact details

Report author: Graham Walker, Temp. Head of Counter Fraud MPA and Phil Collins, Temp Head of Compliance and Assurance Group MPS.

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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