What's this about a lawyer looking for an heir? City of London Police seek IT crew to help crack down on fraud

Contract worth £75m over seven years

City of London Police is looking to crack down on cybercrime with the purchase of "next-generation IT services" in the hopes it will beef up the systems supporting Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB).

The cops are hoping the suppliers will set up a centralised intelligence function linking reports of fraud from across the country. It should also lead to better co-ordination of policing resources to investigate crimes and protect victims.

Action Fraud – founded in 2006 – is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. The NFIB works alongside Action Fraud and the City of London Police analysing data and compiling intelligence.

The procurement programme announcement includes systems to handle the review and analysis of crime reports based on intelligence collected and maintained as part of the work carried out by the NFIB. Part of the contract also includes service integration and management to support the delivery in a multi-supplier/multi-agency environment.

The contract – worth an estimated £75m over seven years – is being split into three parts: engagement management; crime, intelligence and common services; and service integration and management. The City of London Police – working with the City of London Corporation and Home Office – is responsible for the project.

The new investment is necessary due to the relentless growth in homegrown and international cybercrime.

In a statement, an expectant Chris Bell, service delivery director at City of London Police, said: "Not only will this service improve the victim experience and satisfaction with the service, it will also improve the flow of information through the system so criminal activity is disrupted and the public is better protected, and it will contribute to an improved understanding of the threat from serious and organised crime."

If you fancy throwing your firm's hat into the ring, the deadline for the Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting & Analysis Service Procurement is 25 August. ®