Gloucestershire has taken a major step in the fight against fraud with the launch of a new website designed to help residents and businesses stay informed, spot scams and protect themselves from financial crime.
The initiative is led by Gloucestershire County Council’s Trading Standards service and Counter Fraud Team (CFT), working alongside a wide range of partners through the Multi-Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF) group. The group brings together Trading Standards, the CFT, Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Team, local councils, Victim Support, the NHS and other agencies to share intelligence, disrupt scams and support victims.
The new ‘Glass Jar’ website — short for Gloucestershire Against Scams Joint Agency Response — offers a central hub of practical information, including:
- Alerts on emerging scams and fraud trends
- Advice for residents and businesses
- Clear reporting tools and contact details
- Educational materials and awareness campaign resources
To raise awareness of the launch, Trading Standards and CFT officers will be at Eastgate Shopping Centre on Thursday 27 November 2025, from 10am to 2pm. Residents can speak with representatives, learn how to avoid scams, and pick up free fraud-prevention advice.
Gloucestershire County Council says the website is needed more than ever as fraudsters develop increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive victims.
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for Trading Standards, said:
“Fraud is one of the fastest-growing crimes and it can have devastating consequences for individuals and businesses. Glass Jar is a practical, easy-to-use tool that gives people the information they need to stay safe. This collaboration shows how agencies working together can make a real difference in protecting our communities.”Residents are encouraged to explore the site, stay updated on local scams and help “put a lid on fraud”.
The Glass Jar website is available at: https://cfeu.org.uk/glassjar/
Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk
Original post on the Gloucestershire News Centre website
Gloucestershire News Centre