The suggestion that the ABI is considering setting up a central pool to fund police prosecutions is wide of the mark (News, 28 July).
While the ABI and our members constantly explore how more prosecutions for fraud can be encouraged, we do not believe that some form of industry fraud prosecution 'kitty' is the right approach.
As a general principle, the ABI believes it is the government's responsibility to fund public services, including enforcement of the criminal law, although individual insurers may on occasions join forces with the police on particular initiatives.
The industry wants fraud detection and prosecution to move higher up the police and government agenda, and continues to press for this.
At the same time it continues to build up its fraud detection intelligence through the sharing of information among industry anti-fraud databases and closer liaison with fraud prevention agencies.
Chris Hannant
Head of financial crime prevention
ABI
