A TEAM has been set up by Dudley Council to end financial crime in the borough.

The Dudley Financial Abuse Alliance has been launched to stop financial crime becoming an increasing problem for many organisations.

Groups taking part in the alliance include West Midlands Police, Dudley Citizens Advice, Natwest, Castle and Crystal Credit Union, Nationwide, Lloyds, Dudley Building Society, Your Money Your Way CIC and Home Instead Senior Care.

The alliance aims to stop crime by sharing knowledge and expertise and identifying ways to prevent and block future scams.

Members will receive regular updates and advice, and have immediate access to specialist officers in the council if they suspect someone is a victim of fraud or scams.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "National stats tell us that people in Dudley borough potentially lose millions of pounds in financial scams every year.

"It’s often our most vulnerable people who are targeted and we know scams can have a long-term impact on a victim’s health and wellbeing.

"Increasingly we are seeing financial criminals use every trick in the book to try and stay ahead of the game and con people out of their money, whether it’s via phone, postal or email scams.

"The alliance gives local organisations an avenue to share intelligence about new and emerging scams and an opportunity to work together to prevent them.

"Although the alliance is in its infancy I’m really pleased so many organisations have already signed up and support this important work."

The alliance will work closely with the National Scams Team and continue to roll out the Friends Against Scams initiative.

Sally Bourner, Chief Superintendent, Dudley Neighbourhood Policing Unit Commander, said: "It is important to raise awareness of financial scams. We can all play our part in preventing financial crime and protecting vulnerable people from harm. Dudley is the safest borough in the West Midlands region and by working together we will keep it that way."