Kingston Council underlined its zero tolerance of fraud with 22 successful Benefit and Council Tax fraud prosecutions going through the Courts in the year 2011.

Over £370,000 worth of fraud has been identified from these 22 prosecutions.  A further 72 cases were issued cautions or fines, and 90 cases were found to be incorrect, and when added to the above prosecutions, this means that over  just under £1 million in Benefit and Council Tax fraud has been identified, and is currently being recovered.

Kingston Council’s Counter Fraud and Corruption Unit work in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions, the Police, UK Border Agency, NHS and all other relevant departments and agencies.  They deal with Benefit Fraud, but also other issues including Council Tax Fraud, Blue Badge Fraud and Social Housing Fraud.

Commenting on this case and the 22 prosecution cases in general:

Kingston Council simply will not tolerate this sort of theft from our tax payers.  We recognise that more than ever we need to protect the stretched resources that we have and to that end we continue to support the excellent work undertaken by our Counter Fraud team – who have a proven track record of bringing culprits to justice.

Were it not for Kingston Council successfully investigating fraud, I can only dread to think how much could be lost.  Such substantial amounts must not be stolen by thieves and must be recovered and put back in to delivering the essential services that we proudly provide.

 said Cllr Trevor Heap, Chair of the Council’s Audit Committee

Anyone who suspects fraud or wrong-doing in the Royal Borough should contact the Counter Fraud and Corruption Unit on the Fraud Hotline, 020 8547 5700 or email investigations@rbk.kingston.gov.uk