A BANK is creating 200 North-East jobs to deliver pioneering work in the region.

Barclays wants staff for a fraud detection centre of excellence.

The firm says the Sunderland site will be a UK first and be adept at handling calls from customers worldwide, whose bank accounts and cards have been targeted by fraudsters.

Posts will cover management, team leader and call centre roles at offices on Doxford International Business Park, and bosses have hinted more jobs could come, saying the development of the site will leave room for further expansion.

Christine Allenson, Barclays’ Sunderland site president, said the plans proved the company’s commitment to the region and the city, where it already employs more than 1,200 people.

She told The Northern Echo: “Fraud is dealt with at a number of locations, but we are bringing it all together under one roof to deliver a better experience for customers.

“This will be a centre of excellence and help people in what can be a very difficult time.

“Sunderland is a strategic site for us and I’m passionate about bringing more career opportunities for the staff that we have here.

“The city was right for us because we have a good track record there.”

The 200-job plans come just weeks after Barclays revealed it will deliver more than 100 further jobs on Wearside.

Those staff will look after its video banking service, which allows customers to speak face-to-face with advisors through smartphones and tablets.

Dr Dave Smith, Sunderland City Council chief executive, said Barclays’ was a very important employer for the city, adding its growing presence could help attract similar investments from other companies.

He added: “Barclays is a shining success story for Sunderland, and I’m delighted it has chosen the city for its fraud centre.

“From our point of view, it is not just the amount of jobs, but the quality of the jobs for people in Sunderland the wider region.

“We have worked with Barclays for a number of years and the company has always championed the opportunities here.

“They have done that on the back of having a first-rate workforce, which is skilled in what they do.”