Council cracks down on benefit fraud

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council continues to crack down on people committing benefit fraud in the borough.

A report presented to the council’s Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 12 February outlined the level of fraud identified within the borough.

In the last year, 11 people have been prosecuted for benefit fraud, with seven subject to administrative penalties, and 32 subject to cautions. Sentences range from substantial fines, community punishment orders and suspended jail sentences. Anyone convicted of benefit fraud has a permanent criminal record and custodial sentences can also be imposed.

A total of 224 cases have been investigated following referral and fraud has been proven in a total of 57 of these cases.

Data matching with the Housing Benefits Matching Service (HBMS) identified the majority of those making fraudulent claims.

For the full story read the press release.