Police cracking down on unqualified interpreters

STRICT VETTING TO WEED OUT FRAUD

UNQUALIFIED people charging for services as interpreters will be caught and charged, Leicestershire’s Chief Constable has warned.

Simon Cole, who leads for the police nationally on interpreter services in the UK, announced a clampdown on the fraudsters saying “they will not be tolerated”.

In one recent case, a 34-year-old woman from Wakefield was cautioned and made to complete a rehabilitation course after she admitted fraud by representation.

West Yorkshire Police said she had presented a fake document in an attempt to be registered as an interpreter.

The certificate was identified as a fake by staff at thebigword, which carries out security checks on candidates.

Mr Cole, pictured, said: “This sort of criminality will not be tolerated. Not only is it deceitful, it puts the criminal justice system at risk.

“We have worked with our approved language service providers to ensure forged and false documents can be identified effectively. This recent arrest highlights how effective that work has been.

“I am pleased that a potential risk to the police and criminal justice system from the fake interpreter has been prevented at the earliest opportunity. In particular I am grateful to thebigword staff and West Yorkshire police for the way this matter has been speedily and efficiently dealt with.”

A spokesman for thebigword said: “We take both vetting and security very seriously.

“A strict vetting process ensures we have the highest-quality professionals in our network of linguists, who can aid our clients, such as the police.”

Earlier this year, Mirwais Patang illegally posed as an interpreter at City of London police, earning a total of £65,000.

He pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud, three of forgery and one of conspiracy to commit fraud at Southwark Crown Court on February 12.

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, and must complete 300 hours of unpaid work.

Mark Lewis, national police contract manager for language services, said: “While this was a great result, we are not complacent.

“Further specialist training is being provided next month to all approved suppliers so we remain vigilant to identify criminals attempting to access language services as a form of employment when they don’t have the formal qualifications and experience necessary.

John Worne, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, said: “Professional linguists and the public alike will be reassured by this firm and decisive collective action in protection of standards and the safer and fairer outcomes that properly qualified public service interpreters assure in the criminal justice system.

“This is a genuine win for public safety and professional standards.”