Disclosing Offences

If a person believes or suspects that another person has committed an offence based on suspicion or information which comes to his attention in the course of a trade, profession, business or employment, that person will then be committing an offence if they do not disclose this to the police.

Failure to disclose: regulated sector (businesses covered by the Money Laundering Regulations)
A person commits an offence if he knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, and fails to disclose that another person has committed or attempted an offence in the course of business in the regulated sector.

Possible defences include reasonable excuse or if an internal report has been made in accordance with employer’s procedures.

The penalty for not disclosing offences can be a maximum 5 years in prison and/or a fine.