New research has revealed that Northumbria Police have received the lowest rate of fraud reports over the past 13 months. 

The analysis, carried out by QR Code Generator QRFY, looked at data from Action Fraud and the Office for National Statistics to uncover which police forces have recorded the most incidents of individual fraud per 100,000 people served, over the past 13 months. 

Over the past 13 months, Action Fraud recorded a total of 395,105 reports of individual fraud across England and Wales – with a reported loss of £2.3 billion. 89% (351,451) of these reports were found to be filed by individuals. 

Northumbria Police recorded the lowest rate of reports of individual fraud, with 382 cases per 100,000 people. The most common category of fraud recorded by this police force was ‘Online Shopping and Auction’ fraud, which refers to the non-delivery of products bought by a consumer, or the misrepresentation of a product.  

The second most common category of fraud reported by the police force was ‘Other Advance Fee Fraud’, while the third most common was ‘Hacking – Social Media and Email’. 

Cleveland Police received the second lowest rate of fraud reports, with 402 reports of individual fraud per 100,000 people. The most common category of reported fraud was also found to be ‘Online Shopping and Auction’ while ‘Other Advance Fee Fraud’ was the second most common. Following in their third top fraud is ‘Hacking – Social Media and Email.’ 

Following in third are the Durham Police with 416 reports per 100,000 people. ‘Online Shopping and Auction’ was the most reported category of fraud, while ‘Other Advance Fee’ and ‘Hacking – Social Media and Email’ were second and third most common again. 

Cumbria Police placed fourth with 427 reports per 100,000 people, while Devon and Cornwall Police were fifth with 432 reports per 100,000 people. The most commonly recorded category of fraud for both police forces was Online Shopping and Auction’ fraud. 

England Wales police forces ranked by reports of fraud per 100,000 people served 

Rank	Police force	Reported cases of individual fraud per 100,000 people served	Three most common categories of fraud reported
1.	Northumbria	382	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Hacking – Social Media and Email
2.	Cleveland	402	1. Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Hacking – Social Media and Email
3.	Durham	416	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Hacking – Social Media and Email
4.	Cumbria	427	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Cheque, Plastic Cards, and Online Bank Account (no PSP)
5.	Devon and Cornwall	432	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Hacking – Social Media and Email
6.	Merseyside	436	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Hacking – Social Media and Email
7.	South Wales	456	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Hacking – Social Media and Email
8.	Humberside	457	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Cheque, Plastic Cards, and Online Bank Account (no PSP)
9.	West Mercia	463	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Hacking – Social Media and Email
10.	Gwent	465	Online Shopping and Auction Other Advance Fee Fraud Cheque, Plastic Cards, and Online Bank Account (no PSP)

Commenting on the findings, QRFY, CEO, Mark Porcar, said: “The internet and widespread online connectivity has certainly created more opportunities for fraudsters to exploit people’s vulnerabilities. As more transactions and interactions occur online, there is a greater potential for individuals to fall victim to these kinds of scams. 

“Fraudsters are constantly developing new techniques that trick people into handing over access to their personal accounts, or finances. Large-scale data breaches which expose peoples’ personal information, also make it easier for criminals to impersonate individuals or commit identity theft.”