FRAUD squad detectives from the North East's three police forces are teaming up to tackle financial criminals across the region.

Officers from the economic crime units of Durham, Northumbria and Cleveland police are taking part in a two-day seminar at St James' Park in Newcastle next week.

Also at the event, which starts on Monday, May 10 will be representatives from the academic and private sectors and the worlds of accountancy and banking.

All those involved are members of the multi-agency North East Fraud Forum. (NEFF)

The forum was launched a year ago with the aim of sharing information and best practice, raising awareness and reducing the stigma some organisations or individuals feel about being the victims of fraudsters.

Government estimates suggest fraud costs the country £14bn each year, or five per cent of the UK gross domestic product, with millions of pounds lost in the North East.

Topics to be discussed at the seminar include identity, theft, credit card misuse and the effectiveness of various partnerships with retailers in tackling the problem.

In April this year members of the forum's steering group were invited to Vienna to give a presentation to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

The commission, impressed by the way in which the forum worked, is now looking to roll out a similar format internationally as a way of tackling large-scale trade fraud.

"Fraud is something which can affect any organisation, whether in the public or private sector,'' said Det Insp Colin Gibson, head of Durham Constabulary's economic crime unit.

"I would encourage anyone who has not yet already done so to review their fraud prevention policies and take advantage of the help and experience the forum can offer,'' he said.

The forum, which currently has over 400 individual members, is to hold a further conference in September.

It has also organised a series of courses to be run by experts from Teesside University, for later this year on topics including investigation management, the best way of interviewing staff and suspects on the nature of fraud.

Any group or individual interested in joining NEFF should contact the economic crime unit on 0191 5635805.