Economic, Serious And Organised Crime - Covert Surveillance Officers

DWP is the lead agency for tackling Economic, Serious and Organised crime (ESOC) against the welfare system. ESOC are a national team with geographical representation throughout the UK. We are responsible for and are committed to detecting, preventing, disrupting and prosecuting organised criminals facilitating benefit offences and abuse. Serious offenders often receive substantial custodial sentences.

The role of ESOC is primarily to investigate fraud in the welfare system perpetuated by organised criminal groups. This mostly involves working across multi law enforcement agencies on high profile and serious fraud operations involving multi suspects in multi million pound criminality. ESOC is predominantly involved in:

Level 2 Criminality

Acts of criminality that transcend regional borders and require the assistance of specialist assets to combat these attacks, using assistance from external law enforcement partners through the provision of intelligence, and establishing joint operations to proactively target those persons or groups involved in such criminal activity; and

Level 3 Criminality

Investigations categorised as Level 3 relate to Serious and Organised Crime by well organised and resourced criminals and crime groups that operate both on national and international scales. Combating these organisations requires the proactive collaboration of a diverse and specialised core of organisations within the UK law enforcement arena; that allows the pooling of sensitive intelligence and physical assets, both human and capital to combat such attacks.

We undertake:

• Intelligence-led investigations into organised and systematic attacks on the National Insurance Number Portal (NINo), DWP benefits, HMRC Tax Credits and Access to Work payments;High Value Fraud: multi-million pound fraud involving multiple suspects
• Our major focus is Identity Fraud, the use of false documentation and hijacked or stolen identities of genuine individuals;
• The Human Agenda - Trafficking / Modern Slavery are a significant feature of our work - benefits are claimed and controlled by organised criminals;
• Internal Investigations; and
• Extensive Collaborative Working

Key Tasks (Specific)

ESOC’s highly trained surveillance operatives are a national resource able to provide an immediate response. As a DWP mobile Covert Surveillance officer you will:

• Action requests for surveillance and liaise with key stakeholders to agree a plan of action for Covert Surveillance.
• As Officer in Charge, complete Directed Surveillance applications to the standard required by the Directed Surveillance Authority team for authorisation.
• Understand the operational objectives and ensure the authority is legally compliant with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and The Police Act 1997 and in accordance IPCO recommendations.
• Conduct Risk Assessments.
• Lead surveillance teams utilising resources available and full range of surveillance techniques to achieve the objectives in the most cost-effective manner.
• As Officer in Charge (OiC) direct the activities of the Surveillance Team, whether undertaking static, foot and mobile surveillance in line with National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) standards.
• Make operational decisions as the dynamic and evolving circumstances demand and in order to achieve the set objectives.
• As Surveillance Officer ensure the evidence and intelligence is received and presented in the form of high quality surveillance logs, documentary and photographic evidence by the effective use of Covert Surveillance techniques.
• Work closely with and ensure the investigation team are kept apprised of progress.
• Ensure the final evidence package is professionally and accurately prepared and production of surveillance outcome files contain Exhibits, MG11 summary of surveillance, MG11 covering continuity of exhibits, Disclosure schedules, Issues Log and Feedback sheet.
• Maintain your own accreditation through active deployment and assessment by team leader.
• When Officer in Charge, you are responsible for tasking and directing the surveillance team and conducting briefings and de-briefings.
• Take appropriate measures to ensure personal safety.
• Adhere strictly to the NPCC’s surveillance standards and general instructions set out in the Fraud Procedures / Instructions Manual, and other user manuals and follow the processes to ensure people comply with the legal and policy requirements.

Key Tasks (General)

• Ensure overall quality, secure handling and dissemination of information and intelligence obtained.
• Promote professional standards at all times.
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with both internal and external partners.
• Comply with health and safety legislation including highlighting and reporting risks and issues as identified.
• If necessary, appear as a witness in court.
• Keep abreast of the rapid change and continuous improvements in a changing environment responding to ESOC, CFCD and DWP priorities.
• There may be occasions when not deployed that you will be required to assist the ESOC investigation teams with investigative duties.