A specialist team have recovered more than a million pounds for victims of fraud.

The Beacon Fraud Hub, which was set up in 2019, supports victims in Hertfordshire and helps them to get their money back.

Hub creator David Lloyd, who is the police and crime commissioner for Hertfordshire, said £1.1 million recovered so far for thousands of victims in the county is a "fantastic result".

He added: "This is a unique scheme we have created for Hertfordshire and it is already paying dividends in less than two years. We invested £198,000, mainly from government funds, and it has returned £1.1m.

"I would like to thank the team for all their extraordinary work and their dedication for working with victims on a one-to-one level to advocate and advise on their behalf."

The fraud hub, which has four members of staff, are sent a monthly list of around 650 fraud victims in Hertfordshire, who have reported a crime to Action Fraud.

The team develop an action plan for victims which includes liaising with agencies on the victim's behalf; conducting a needs assessment; providing practical support and measures for target hardening.

It is the City of London Police which leads on nationally on tackling and investigating fraud, but the Hertfordshire hub has been able to help victims retrieve stolen money through effective advocacy with financial institutions.

The small team were recently recognised for their work, winning the 'outstanding customer service initiative' category at the national Tackling Economic Crime Awards (TECAs).