Sandwell maintains vigilance against fraud

Sandwell Council’s fraud team has stopped fraud and error to a value of over £800k.

The team has also stopped 24 people from fraudulently using a parking Blue Badge – meant to help residents who have a disability – and have successfully prosecuted 13 of those people in court.

The figures have been released in the annual counter fraud report from the council’s Audit Risk and Assurance Committee.

Committee Chair Cllr Liam Preece said: “Fraud now represents over 40% of all crime nationally so the council has stepped up its actions to stop these criminals stealing from Sandwell taxpayers.

"I’d like to thank all of the teams involved for their vigilance. I hope that the work of our dedicated anti-Fraud officers makes any fraudster thinking about stealing from the residents of our borough that we are watching and waiting to stop you in your tracks. “

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance Cllr Paul Moore added: “The amount of money involved in these thefts only gives us greater resolve to support our teams of investigators and to work with West Midlands Police and to support the Cabinet Office’s National Fraud Initiative.

"We need to be clear – fraud against the council is theft from every Sandwell resident and we will use the full force of the law to stop it.”

The full report is available online.

Anyone wishing to report any suspected fraud within Sandwell can do so by email or by calling 0121 569 2650.