In the run up to my second annual report I am pleased to give an early indication of our continuing progress.
With reduced funding we continued to work in innovative ways to provide better value for taxpayers.
I am particularly pleased with the overall quality of cases we have been bringing to court during the year. This is reflected in the number of convictions and sentences (including measures like company director disqualifications) we have secured. Our new quality review processes have contributed significantly to this.
Victims remain at the heart of what we do. With that in mind, we are now taking on average nine months less to complete our investigations which means that we are helping to get justice for victims sooner. Also as a result of our work, compensation paid to victims is almost four times more than last year. And our new website (www. sfo.gov.uk) offers better advice to help the public protect themselves from fraudsters.
Next year will bring greater challenges - more funding cuts and increased demand. But I am confident that we will continue to build on our achievements to provide the best possible service to society at the least burden to the taxpayer.
Richard Alderman
Director
