Exploring the Barriers to Policing Financial Crime in England and Wales

The police service in England and Wales has been subject of much criticism in the past two decades over the policing response to financial crime. Many studies have reported failures in how the police investigate and prosecute financial crime, which have led to many victims being dissatisfied with the service provided by police. Yet, there has been little research into the barriers facing police investigators entrusted with tackling financial crime. This article reports on a study into such barriers, through surveys and interviews with investigators that aimed to better understand the challenges faced by police forces within England and Wales. It demonstrates several overriding practical and cultural issues that inhibit the success of investigations. The article concludes that police need a better appreciation of financial crime, to help improve the service delivered to victims, and to prioritize this often-undervalued field of policing.