Fraud Prevention and Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy

At 247 Rapid Response, we believe that the vast majority of our employees, freelance engineers, customers, suppliers, and contractors act with honesty and integrity. Nonetheless, we acknowledge that there remains a small minority who may seek to exploit our business or processes for personal gain. Such individuals not only damage the company but also undermine the trust of our clients, reduce available resources, and compromise the high standards we strive to maintain.

For this reason, we maintain a zero-tolerance stance towards fraud, bribery, corruption, and tax evasion. We are fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of our operations and ensuring that unethical or unlawful conduct is identified, reported, and dealt with swiftly and effectively. This policy sets out a coordinated, hands-on approach to detecting, preventing, and responding to fraudulent and corrupt behaviour at every level of our organisation.

247 Rapid Response is committed to conducting its business with integrity, transparency, and professionalism. We demand the highest standards of ethical behaviour from everyone representing the company, including employees, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and management. This policy is a key part of our corporate governance and reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and vigilance.

247 Rapid Response adopts a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery, and corruption. The company is fully committed to acting with integrity in all its business dealings and to maintaining systems and processes that prevent, detect, and respond to unethical or illegal behaviour.

Where incidents of fraud, bribery, or corruption are identified, we will take immediate and decisive action, including internal disciplinary procedures and, where appropriate, legal prosecution. We are equally committed to recovering any losses suffered as a result of fraudulent or corrupt activity.

This policy applies to everyone who works for or represents 247 Rapid Response, including full-time and part-time employees, freelance engineers, agency workers, contractors, consultants, suppliers, and board members. It also serves to inform clients, customers, and other third parties of our position on fraud, bribery, and corruption and explains how to report concerns. Everyone who is associated with our operations is expected to understand and comply with this policy, regardless of their role or level of responsibility.

Integrity and honesty are fundamental to the culture of 247 Rapid Response. We are committed to maintaining a working environment where unethical behaviour is not tolerated and where staff feel able to act responsibly. Fraud, bribery, and corruption are strictly prohibited within the Company and will not be accepted under any circumstances.

We will see that all concerns or suspicions relating to fraud, bribery, or corruption are investigated quickly, fairly, and impartially. If wrongdoing is found, those involved will be dealt with firmly and without hesitation, and we will seek to recover any associated losses. To promote a culture of transparency, we will provide appropriate support, training, and guidance to help staff and contractors understand their responsibilities in preventing fraud.

We are also committed to creating a safe reporting environment. Anyone who raises a genuine concern regarding suspected fraud, bribery, or corruption will be supported and protected from retaliation or disadvantage. Reports can be made directly to senior management, and all concerns will be treated in confidence and investigated with professionalism and care.

If you suspect any form of fraud, bribery, or corruption, it is your duty to report it immediately. All reports will be treated in strict confidence, and we assure you that no individual will suffer adverse consequences for raising a concern in good faith, even if it turns out to be mistaken.

To make it straightforward to report suspicious activity, we have set up a clear reporting process. In the first instance, suspicions should be reported to your line manager or team leader. If this is not appropriate, concerns can be raised directly with a member of senior management. Alternatively, concerns may be directed to the Managing Director or submitted confidentially through a designated reporting email or phone line (to be provided in the final document). The identity of anyone making a report will be protected in accordance with our whistleblowing procedures, and retaliation of any kind against whistleblowers will not be tolerated.

Fraud is a criminal act involving deception intended to secure an unlawful gain or to cause loss to another party. Under the Fraud Act 2006, fraud can occur through false representation, failing to disclose information, or abusing a position of trust.

Bribery is the act of offering, promising, or giving a financial or other benefit with the intent to influence a person to act improperly in the course of their duties. The Bribery Act 2010 sets out these offences clearly and includes a corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery, requiring organisations to have adequate procedures in place, supported and promoted by senior leadership.

Theft is the dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another, with the intention of permanently depriving them of it.

Corruption is defined as the misuse or abuse of entrusted power for personal gain. It can take many forms, including favouritism, nepotism, or manipulation of decisions to benefit an individual or group at the expense of fairness, transparency, or organisational integrity.