The number of ‘dawn raids’ by City regulators — once a big fear for compliance departments in the Square Mile — fell significantly during the pandemic, and has yet to return to the level seen in the wake of the financial crisis, according to data obtained exclusively by Financial News.

'Dawn raid' powers allow regulatory agencies across financial services to enter offices without warning when they suspect wrongdoing. The Financial Conduct Authority, Competition and Markets Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority, HMRC and the Serious Fraud Office can all carry out such raids.