Seized criminal cash to help fraud victims in Cleveland scheme

Money seized from criminals by police and courts will fund work helping fraud victims get their cash back.

A full-time fraud financial advocate (FFA) will be based in Stockton and will support victims in pursing compensation from banks and help them learn to spot scammers.

The FFA post, funded by the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), will be split between Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Matt Storey, said the advocate would have a "huge impact" in righting the "life-changing consequences of fraud".

Trading Standards teams at Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool councils, plus the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), announced the full-time post.

Each Trading Standards team will invest £10,832.20 of POCA funding, with the same coming from the OPCC to fund the role for a one-year pilot period.

Previously, a part-time advocate in Cleveland secured about £202,795 of financial benefits for victims, which included cash refunds and cancellation of fraudulently obtained loans.

That particular funding from the Ministry of Justice ran out, so the post expired, the OPCC said.

Mr Storey said the new service would not replace the expert support provided by victim care officers.

"I have heard first hand from victims about the life-changing consequences of fraud and it can ruin lives," he continued.

"I have no doubt the work the advocate will do on behalf of local people will have a huge impact and right some of those wrongs."