Fraud reports
The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority (the Authority) is a large public authority and expects the highest standards of conduct and integrity from its members, employees and from all who have dealings with it. The Authority recognises the importance of these standards and the high expectations of the public in this respect. The Authority has set a culture and tone that embodies honesty and active opposition to corruption and dishonesty, which its members and employees are expected to demonstrate through leading by example.
The Authority has a Confidential Reporting Policy, also known as the “Whistleblowing Code”, which sets out a procedure on how to raise concerns of a serious nature. The Authority’s Fraud and Corruption Policy focuses specifically on procedures for dealing with allegations of financial irregularities and is intended to:
- encourage prevention of dishonesty;
- promote the detection of dishonesty; and
- identify a clear pathway for investigation.
Acts of dishonesty within the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are extremely rare. This reflects the skills, dedication and decency of Authority members, employees and others with whom the Authority has dealings. However, constant vigilance is necessary to ensure that this good record is maintained.
See the Authority’s Confidential Reporting Policy (https://fireauthority.dsfire.gov.uk/ecSDDisplay.aspx?ID=243&RPID=502016323) (Whistleblowing Code).
See the Authority’s Fraud and Corruption Policy (https://fireauthority.dsfire.gov.uk/ecSDDisplay.aspx?ID=208&RPID=502016327) (Strategy on the Prevention and Detection of Fraud and Corruption).
- Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority actively participates in the National Fraud Initiative (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-fraud-initiative) (NFI) process. This process ensures that data is submitted accurately and supports the review of resulting data matches.
- No posts exist specifically for the undertaking of investigations and prosecutions of fraud, the responsibility is incorporated into a number of roles.