London fraud squad and SFO to merge
The Serious Fraud Office is set to merge with the City of London police fraud squad in a move which Home Office ministers hope will help Britain avoid the same kind of corporate disasters that hit Enron.
Link: SFO charges six with money laundering
The plan is seen as a major step towards the creation of a national fraud squad and will see both parties join together in a new building in London.
Extra funding will also be provided which could mean nearly double the number of fraud officers available, with up to 60 being added the current force of 70.
The merger needs the final approval of home secretary David Blunkett, but with support from the Fraud Advisory Panel expected, this is seen as a simply a formality.