By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
UK OFFICIALS have arrested 422 people and seized £7.5 million in a nationwide crackdown on fraud as part of ‘Operation Henhouse’.
The initiative, known as Operation Henhouse, was coordinated by the National Economic Crime Centre, which is part of the National Crime Agency (NCA) and City of London Police and took place throughout February.
In a statement, the NCA said key results include:
- 422 arrests
- 155 voluntary interviews
- 362 cease and desist notices
- £3.9 million in frozen accounts
- £7.5 million in seized cash and assets
Fraud is the most common crime in the UK, accounting for 41% of all reported crime. The NCA said it costs an estimated £6.8 billion annually in England and Wales alone. Beyond financial losses, the NCA said victims often suffer “long-lasting emotional and psychological harm”.
Operation Henhouse participants
Every UK police force and Regional Organised Crime Unit participated in the operation. National agencies such as the Financial Conduct Authority, National Crime Agency, and National Trading Standards also joined the effort.
“This year’s Operation Henhouse results are a testament to the determination of officers and officials across the country to work together to tackle what can be a devastating and lifechanging crime,” the NCA said.
Officials urge the public to stay vigilant and report fraud to Action Fraud. More advice is available on the Stop! Think Fraud website. “Every report helps the NCA and policing identify and support victims, prevent future fraud, repatriate losses, and target the criminals,” the NCA said.
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