SARs reform programme

What's changing
29 Feb 2024
1 minute read
Read later
Print
The way that suspicious activity reports (SARs) are submitted to the National Crime Agency (NCA) is changing. Find out what steps you need to take.

The programme

In April 2016, the government committed to reforming the SARs regime in its action plan for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.

The reform programme is ambitious and covers ways to:

  • improve users' experience by developing the SARs Digital Service and replacing the SARs Online System
  • facilitate mutual feedback between intelligence users and providers
  • improve the quality and quantity of reporting by analysing the drivers behind higher and lower value SARs
  • introduce tiering of SARs, allowing reporters to indicate whether they believe they are providing valuable intelligence to UK Financial Intelligence Unit (UKFIU)

Our view

An improved SARs regime should result in better and more frequent publication of typologies to help solicitors understand how criminals might approach them, and what to look out for.

What's changing

March 2024 – from 2pm GMT on 4 March, the old SAR Online System will no longer be available to submit SARs; all reporters should use the SAR Portal

September 2023 – the SAR Portal opened to all organisations on 18 September, replacing the SARs Online System. The portal is expected to become the only reporting route for all organisations. Review the user guides on the NCA website and portal guidance signpost (PDF)

August 2022 – the NCA held a webinar demonstrating the SAR Portal

June 2022 – organisations from across different sectors began to use the SAR Portal

March 2022 – beta testing for the SAR Portal began

August 2021 – organisations from across the regulated sector (including the Solicitors Regulation Authority) shared feedback on the SAR Portal

April 2016 – the SARs reform programme was launched

Next steps

The SAR Portal opened on 18 September 2023.

Make a SAR using the SAR Portal

From 4 March 2024, the SAR Online System is no longer available. Any draft SARs not submitted or transferred over to the SAR Portal will be lost.

For technical questions, email ukfiusars@nca.gov.uk.

For feedback and general questions, email ukfiuengagement@nca.gov.uk.

Find out more

Whether you're a fee earner or a money laundering reporting officer, recognising signs of money laundering is a continual challenge.

Learn more about the common warning signs and how to respond

Check our guidance on SARs to find out more about when to make a report, what to include and what happens if you fail to report suspicious activity to the NCA.