Issued December 20, 2011
More than £81,000 from fraudulent
benefit claims have been identified in Hambleton and Richmondshire
so far this year.
One case resulted in successful court action
when a community order with a supervision requirement was given in
sentencing.
During the six months to September 30, 2011
the District Council’s benefit fraud team looked into 145
allegations, investigating 57 of them in detail and resulting
in:
- £61,241 of overpayments being identified for Hambleton
- £20,006 of overpayments being identified for Richmondshire
- 4 Formal Cautions accepted in Hambleton
- 4 Administration Penalties given in Hambleton
- 1 Administration Penalty given in Richmondshire
- one case being taken to court in Richmondshire
“Fraud is unacceptable and our team works hard
to protect the public purse by identifying claims which have been
made incorrectly or fraudulently,” said Hambleton Cabinet Member,
Councillor Ron Kirk.
And Councillor Mick Griffiths, Richmondshire’s
Deputy Leader, added: “These people are taking public money they
are not entitled to and we will take all necessary steps to find
and deal with them.”
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