01/03/06

Press Releases

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For full details log on to: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2005/jul/fram029-210705.asp
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Fraud & Error in Housing Benefit: April 2002 to September 2004

This report provides estimates for the level of housing benefit fraud and error derived from a statistical analysis of data collected by the Housing Benefit Review.  For full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=25354&heading=e-mail+alert
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Fraud & Technology Crimes Report: 

Findings from 2002-03 British Crime Survey and the 2003 Offending Crime and Justice Survey - Online report 34/05:   For full details click here: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=25040&heading=e-mail+alert
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Prevention of Fraud Bill: Regulatory impact assessment

Regulatory impact assessment on the Prevention of Fraud Bill. The key objective of the Bill is to modernise the existing statutory offences of deception that are currently used to tackle fraud.  For full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=24590&heading=e-mail+alert
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Freedom of Information - Review of statutory prohibitions on disclosure

This is a report on the Government’s review of statutory prohibitions on disclosure.  It sets out all the enactments that have been reviewed and indicates whether the Government intends to repeal or amend them using powers in the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  For full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=24698&heading=e-mail+alert
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Housing Benefit: Quarterly Fraud Performance Statistics

These are the housing benefit quarterly fraud performances statistics for the fourth quarter of 2004-05.  For the full story log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=24697&heading=e-mail+alert
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Criminal Defence Service Direct to begin in October 2005

Following discussions with The Law Society, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) will now implement the Criminal Defence Service Direct pilot in October 2005.  For full details log on to: http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/press/press_release48.asp
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Three Rivers District Council continue with their fight to reduce Benefit fraud.

On the 9^th June 2005, at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court, Mr Charles Adebola of 89 Penn Place, Rickmansworth was sentenced to nine months in prison for offences relating to obtaining Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Job Seekers Allowance by deception.

Three Rivers DC discovered that Mr Adebola had purchased his home at a time when he was declared as being in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance. Prior to moving to his Rickmansworth address he had also claimed Housing and Council Tax Benefit at an address in Westminster.  Three Rivers DC initiated a joint investigation and Mr Adebola was arrested for various deception offences and subsequent searches were carried out at his home and examination of records held on computers. Documentation was obtained that had indicated that Mr Adebola had actually been carrying out numerous periods of undeclared employment. 

The cross boundary offences were identified and The Department of Works & Pensions and the City of Westminster were invited to join Three Rivers in prosecuting the customer. The case was heard at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court on the 22^nd April 2005 and Mr Adebola pleaded guilty to all charges put to him. The loss to public funds totalled £14K over a period from 1999 to 2004.  Sentencing was deferred until the 9^th June 2005 when he was convicted to his term in prison.

(Mick Mahony - Three Rivers District Council)
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Job Vetting Prevents Fraud

Thorough vetting of job applications can save councils thousands of pounds by preventing fraud, Waltham Forest LBC has claimed. 

The council developed vetting after it suffered fraud perpetrated by job applicants, who had falsified or concealed parts of their employment histories.  

Chief internal auditor Rachael Tiffen wrote the report for anti-fraud software firm SAS.  She said senior managers previously sceptical of the benefits of vetting compared with its costs had been convinced by the success of a pilot in Waltham Forest.  

The council set up a dedicated unit, which now also vets suppliers and contractors.  

Ms Tiffen said: “Organisations have to ask themselves if they want to employ someone who is not honest with them from the outset.

The report said councils have few defences against people who make fraudulent job applications, or who seek a job with opportunities to commit fraud.  Vetting is now foolproof but is a safeguard, as it can reveal false claims about employment and qualifications.

It would be essential for senior managers to think through risks that might not be immediately apparent, Ms Tiffen warned.  They should concentrate on risky jobs such as those dealing with money or children.  These need not be senior ones, but might be benefit administrators or caretakers, for example.

How to Vet Applications 
 
-   Applicants must consent to be vetted if they are offered a job.
-    Officers check employment history, addresses, qualifications and references, demanding    original documents where relevant.
-     If discrepancies are found, the applicant is invited to explain them, but serious cases may be referred for a fraud probe.
-    Job offers are withdrawn if no satisfactory explanation is given.

(LGC magazine 03/05/05)
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UK Passport Service Biometrics Enrolment Trial: Summary

For the full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=24510&heading=e-mail+alert
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UK Passport Service Biometrics Enrolment Trial: Full report

For the full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=24509&heading=e-mail+alert
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Joint Benefit Fraud Prosecution by Eden District Council and The Department of Works & Pensions

Margaret Strange, aged 58 of Pategill Court, Penrith.  Mrs Strange pleaded guilty to dishonestly making five statements to obtain benefits. Three statement concerning Income Support on 29/07/97, 01/04/99, 11/04/02 and Housing & Council Tax Benefit 10/09/02 & 14/08/03. She also asked for a further 311 offences to be taken into consideration.

Prosecuting for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Eden District Council (EDC), Mike Fisher stated that Mrs Strange had received a legacy of £10,000 in 1996. The money was then placed in an offshore bank account.

This money was never declared to either the DWP or EDC by the accused during her eight year period of claiming benefits. Mr. Fisher confirmed that Mrs Strange was interviewed on two occasions by investigators from the DWP and EDC joint working team. On conclusion of the Investigation, Mrs Strange was found to have dishonestly obtained £11,271.38 Income Support and £4,894.07 Housing and Council Tax Benefit. Mrs Strange has subsequently repaid the Housing and Council Tax Benefit overpayment, the Income Support overpayment of £11,271.38, has not been repaid.

Mr. G Walker defending Mrs Strange stated that at the time of the inheritance, Mrs Strange was suffering from depression. She had been advised by friends to invest the money and secure it in a bank account. Mrs Strange then opened an offshore bank account in the Isle of Mann. Her intention was then to move there, however this never materialised. The money has remained in this account, earning £2,500 interest. Subsequently, she has now transferred some funds from this account to re-pay Eden District Council in full.

District Judge Chalk informed Strange, a carer for her mother and disabled son that full reports were to be prepared. Due to the theft from public funds, dishonesty and the timescale of the fraud, imprisonment was an option that he was considering. Strange was released on unconditional bail, to return for sentencing on 3 June 2005.

Mr A Maund, Investigations Manager, Eden District Council, stated that no comment would be made on the case until sentencing had been passed.

Allan Maund  
Investigations Manager
Tel & Fax 01768 212140
Mobile 07947452164
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County council Catches Out Benefit Cheats

Anglesey's Benefit Counter Fraud Team has successfully prosecuted five separate cases of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit fraud within the last few weeks.  For details log on to:  http://www.ynysmon.gov.uk/english/council/press/2005/april/benefit_cheats.pdf
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Local Authority Investigative Powers Regulatory Reform Order.  

For full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=23771&heading=e-mail+alert
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Operation Moonlight

An Oxford Joint Woking initiative entitled “Operation Moonlight” is successfully tackling employment agency fraud across the country .  For full details click here
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National Fraud Initiative 2002-03

National report published by the audit Commission’s National Fraud Initiative.  It brings together data from NHS bodies, local authorities, government departments and other agencies, to detect a wide range of frauds against the public sector.  The full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=19929&heading=e-mail+alert
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Update on Blue Badge Prosecution

After successful prosecutions for both Tower Hamlets and Camden councils, prosecution for Blue Badge Fraud looks set to become implemented in other London authorities. Tower Hamlets, whose prosecutions number nearly 70 over the last year and Camden whose three most recent cases received record fines of £1000+ for each have been increasing the public’s awareness of this type of fraud. 

Initially, prosecuting for this hitherto unknown abuse of Blue Badges was an unknown quantity and legal problems still abound largely due to the vagueness of the Blue Badge Scheme itself and the lack of address awarded by the very regulations that govern its enforcement. 

The new Local Authority and Transport for London Act transpired to give little if any assistance in enforcing Blue Badge fraud as the Act was designed with moving vehicle offences in mind only. The current Traffic Management Bill has a similarity in that it portends to tackle the specific problem of Blue Badge fraud (we are grateful it is now recognised as a problem) but without explaining exactly how a local authority is to go about this. The new powers that the Bill offers local authorities only go so far as to indicate what duties an officer may now conduct with the backing of the law – not what may result for non - compliance. 

However, as has been proven by the successful fines administered by magistrates wielding a firm grasp of common sense, councils may seek to be more confident in aggressively tackling this fraud which for the most part makes up at least 10% of all motor vehicle related crime.    

The Congestion Charge may have been the catalyst for heralding the advent of a fraud to avoid yet another levy forced upon drivers, but now with more local authorities turning to Controlled Parking Zones, and higher parking charges therein, rail and underground fares due to increase, fraud in the shape of a blue badge or even forged resident’s permits, will undoubtedly become more prevalent. 

Local authorities must now take a positive step in re-evaluating their whole parking strategy and closely scrutinise the way in which the Blue Disabled Badge is issued.

Many councils still prefer their Social Services to administer their badges which can seem sensible until the thought of potentially prosecuting those which your department seeks to help smacks of a conflict of interest.

Transferring the duties of badge issuing to a parking department may involve huge cost both administratively and financially and may be logistically unfeasible.

In theses circumstances, joint-working partnerships and good communication between departments backed by clear policy is by far the most effective route and is at the heart of what all government departments strive for in an effort to combat fraud of any kind. 

Produced by Adrian Weatherill ACFO
Fraud & Prosecution Officer
London Borough of Camden
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Draft ID Card Bill Step in Right Direction

Intellect, the trade association for the UK hi-tech industry, welcomes the publication of the Draft Identity Card Bill this week, and continues to encourage early supplier involvement in the development of a national ID Card Scheme.

Commenting on the publication of the Draft Bill John Higgins, Intellect Director General said, "Intellect welcomes the publication of a Draft Bill relating to the Governments plans for a UK wide ID Card scheme, and confirms that Intellect members and the wider UK technology industry have the ability to meet the technological challenges created by the Government’s ID Card proposals."

"This is the beginning of the process, but it is already clear that success will only be achieved if open dialogue with industry is maintained. Only through a comprehensive understanding of the industry, its capacity and its capabilities will the Government be in a position to develop an ID card scheme capable of delivering on its promises to citizens."

"We now look to Government to recognise the risks of engaging in an isolated ID card scheme, and recommend that action is taken to ensure that the proposed project contains long-term objectives to integrate the initiatives with other Government programmes such as the NHS IT Strategy. In addition, Government must make certain that it has full visibility of the entire supply chain to ensure that it does not compromise the market by failing to engage with certain sections of the industry."

Intellect is holding a one day conference to discuss the issues surrounding the legislative and delivery aspects of the programme. For more information visit Intellect's website <http://www.intellectuk.org/databases/calendar/EventDetails.asp?ID=744> or contact Nick Kalisperas E nick.kalisperas@intellectuk.org <mailto:nick.kalisperas@intellectuk.org>
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Guidelines for Special Branch Working in the UK
 For full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=19335&heading=e-mail+alert
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Consultation Document for the Proposed European Evidence Warrant

  For full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=19305&heading=e-mail+alert
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Counter-Terrorism Powers: Reconciling security and liberty in an open society - A discussion paper

For full details log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=19307&heading=e-mail+alert
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Increased Use of Biometrics to Tackle Asylum Abuse

Visitors to the UK from five est African countries and those travelling with refugee documents issued by other coutnries wil have to provide fingerprint data before they enter the UK, the Home Offce announced today.  For  further details log on to: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=776
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Review of Police Information Technology Organisation

A comprehensive review of the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) was today announced by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears.  For further details log to: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=766
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First Live Interface of National Criminal Justice IT Solution

An electronically joined-up justice system came a step closer today, the first 'interface' between the two key parts of the Government's flagship Criminal Justice IT project went live at Rugby in Warwickshire.  For further details log on to: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=764
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Are you ready for the reviews module and the changes to SAFE?

From April 2004 the DWP introduce new guidance and rules for assessing  and dealing with claims after the abolition of benefit periods.  do you need some training?  Then log on to:  www.its-training-uk.com
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The Evidential Value of eMail

DataSec Ltd, one of the UK's leading computer forensic consultancies, today releases its White paper on the evidential value of email in court.  For the full story please click here. 
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New Offence to Tackle Organised Crime and Terrorism

A new offence to tackle ID fraud, to disrupt those involved in organised crime and terrorism, was announced by Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes.  For the full details log on to: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=508
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Tackling Immigration Fraud – New Technology Replaces Passport Stamps

Old Fashioned ink passport stamps are to be replaced with high security stickers, the Home Office have announced.  For the full story log on to: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=507
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Sutton resident jailed for fraud

A Stanley Road resident, charged with four counts of fraud, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for each offence, to run concurrently.  For the full story please click here
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Former Borders council officer admits to theft

The senior local government officer said to have been in sole charge of the Borders' £60 million schools budget when it crashed into the red two years ago had been systematically embezzing thousands of pounds from his employers at the same time, it has been disclosed.  For the full story log on to: http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/scotland.cfm?id=415222003
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Time travels in the Magistrates’ Courts  

This bulletin presents the results from the Time Intervals Survey (March 2003).  The survey reports on the time taken between stages of proceedings for defendants in completed criminal cases in magistrates’ courts.  For the full story log on to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/searchreport.asp?id=15424&heading=e-mail+alert
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A new advertising campaign 

will warn benefit cheats that the government is determined to tackle fraud that costs taxpayers £2bn each year.  For the full story log on to: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page3799.asp
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Analysis of Local Authorities investigating Blue Badge Fraud 

To view this document you will need to use Acrobat Reader. 

Blue Badge Fraud
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Fraudulent local barrister let off with slap on the wrist

Ealing Council is outraged at the lenient sentence awarded yesterday to Mr Khalick Bhatoo, of West End Road, Southall, who was found guilty by Kingston Magistrates’ Court on two counts of housing benefit fraud.  For the full story please click here.
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Benefit Fraud Inspectorate Report: Local authority compliance with Race Relations Act 1976

BFI report : http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2003/may/bfi1305.htm
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Plans to extend taking of fingerprint & DNA samples

A government amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill will let Police Officers take fingerprints and DNA samples from arrested persons detained at police stations.  For the full report log on to: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page3359.asp
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Confiscating Criminals ’ill gotten gains’: new criminal confiscation powers

Criminals face having to pay back every single penny they’ve made from crime under new confiscation powers coming into force today, announced Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth.

Mr Ainsworth also revealed today that the Taskforce set up to pursue outstanding confiscation orders has netted £2.7 million in criminal assets since it started work last December.

For the full story log on to: http://index.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=416
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New pilot web site of Land Registry.

Do you need to get hold of a landlord or property owner try out the new Land Registry Site at: http://www.landregisteronline.gov.uk/
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A Voice for Victims of Crime

Victims were placed at the heart of Government on Monday 24th February, with the launch of a new body made up of people who have all suffered at the hand of criminals.  For the full story log on to: http://213.121.214.245/n_story.asp?item_id=379
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Archived documents