Police raid flat in benefit fraud crackdown (From Basildon Recorder)
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Police raid flat in benefit fraud crackdown
12:00pm Saturday 16th March 2013 in News By Chloe Chapman
Police raided the flat of a 43 year-old man in The Knares, Basildon, as part of a benefit fraud crackdown.
A MAN was led away by police as they raided his home in a benefit fraud crackdown.
The 43-year-old was still in bed at his flat in The Knares, Basildon, when police came calling at 11am yesterday.
He was arrested on suspicion of benefit fraud following a joint operation between Essex Police, Basildon Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
The man, who legitimately receives housing benefit and council tax, is accused of illegally claiming additional benefits by using a false identity.
The total value of his deception is not yet known, but it is believed the fraud could provide an extra £7,000 a year.
After failing to answer the front door to officers, they forced entry under a search warrant.
The raid came as Basildon Council promised to crack down on claimants who cheat the system.
Stuart Sullivan, councillor responsible for resources, said: “This is a great example of partnership working with the Department for Work and Pensions and police, and should send a real message to fraudsters that there is no hiding place.
“This is an ongoing and complex case that involves both housing benefit and council tax overpayments, but we are confident of getting a formal charge and a successful prosecution.
“Today’s arrest was to enable us to search the property and gather more evidence for the case, and it is great that we can work with the police to enable us to do this.
“This goes to show that there is nowhere to hide for people looking to commit benefit fraud, and if you are, you could be next in line for a knock on the door and an arrest.
“We will use any means necessary to put together a solid prosecution case, and if that means working in partnership with the police to knock a door down and arrest someone, then so be it.”
The 43 year-old was taken to Basildon police station for questioning and is due to be released on bail.
Officers from the Department for Work and Pensions remained at the flat with police to search for evidence.
PC Kelly White said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Basildon Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. As benefit fraud is mainly investigated by them, people don’t expect the police to come knocking at their door.
“The cases are often very complex and can take a long time to get resolved, but this proves it is something we are taking seriously and cracking down on.”
Comments(13)
Not A Native
says...
1:27pm Sat 16 Mar 13
Good work Rich Carol - I smell a nobel prize in this for your clever reasoning
Carnabackable
says...
2:47pm Sat 16 Mar 13
Nebs
says...
6:24pm Sat 16 Mar 13
Devils Advocate
says...
10:46pm Sat 16 Mar 13
Then perhaps a look at how many Civic Dinners the "Crackdown Council" have a year!
All I'm asking for is a little balance! Why such celebration when the morons are caught, and a "Don't care" attitude about the real thieves!
asbo in a coma
says...
10:57pm Sat 16 Mar 13
Devils Advocate wrote:the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.
Just wait until the tax fraud squad start work. Now that will be worth reporting and the money the country will get back from that will be unbelievable.
Then perhaps a look at how many Civic Dinners the "Crackdown Council" have a year!
All I'm asking for is a little balance! Why such celebration when the morons are caught, and a "Don't care" attitude about the real thieves!
Shoebury_Cyclist
says...
9:19am Sun 17 Mar 13
Nebs wrote:Really? Ever heard of night shifts?
Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.
Nebs
says...
12:07pm Sun 17 Mar 13
Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:Fair enough.
Nebs wrote:Really? Ever heard of night shifts?
Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.
Night shifts are something the government should introduce for it's employees, rather than the standard office hours, only open Monday to Friday. Every government department that is open to the public for enquiries should be open into the evening and on weekends, so as everyone has equal access to their services. Those whose work involves looking at a computer screen or pushing paper could also work night shifts.
This would enable the expenditure on office space to be reduced, as the same desk could be used for 3 shifts rather than just one. It would also open jobs up to those who have family commitments and could not otherwise work a standard 9-5 week.
asbo in a coma
says...
12:17pm Sun 17 Mar 13
Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:quelle surprise...the usual suspects. rushing to the defence of the benefit scrounger.
Nebs wrote:Really? Ever heard of night shifts?
Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.
Devils Advocate
says...
9:56pm Sun 17 Mar 13
asbo in a coma wrote:No, but that can be due to total demoralisation. The. Morally wrong that you mention depends on either avoidance or evasion. One is illegal, both are practised by the "better off" in our society. This same society was formed in a way where the workers depended on their managers to stay gainfully employed. You think the workers took the work abroad?
Devils Advocate wrote:the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.
Just wait until the tax fraud squad start work. Now that will be worth reporting and the money the country will get back from that will be unbelievable.
Then perhaps a look at how many Civic Dinners the "Crackdown Council" have a year!
All I'm asking for is a little balance! Why such celebration when the morons are caught, and a "Don't care" attitude about the real thieves!
Devils Advocate
says...
9:57pm Sun 17 Mar 13
asbo in a coma wrote:No, but that can be due to total demoralisation. The. Morally wrong that you mention depends on either avoidance or evasion. One is illegal, both are practised by the "better off" in our society. This same society was formed in a way where the workers depended on their managers to stay gainfully employed. You think the workers took the work abroad?
Devils Advocate wrote:the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.
Just wait until the tax fraud squad start work. Now that will be worth reporting and the money the country will get back from that will be unbelievable.
Then perhaps a look at how many Civic Dinners the "Crackdown Council" have a year!
All I'm asking for is a little balance! Why such celebration when the morons are caught, and a "Don't care" attitude about the real thieves!
asbo in a coma
says...
10:39pm Sun 17 Mar 13
Devils Advocate wrote:total demoralisation but sufficient venality and criminality to execute large scale benefit fraud. obviously selectively motivated...the left wing utopia.
asbo in a coma wrote:No, but that can be due to total demoralisation. The. Morally wrong that you mention depends on either avoidance or evasion. One is illegal, both are practised by the "better off" in our society. This same society was formed in a way where the workers depended on their managers to stay gainfully employed. You think the workers took the work abroad?
Devils Advocate wrote:the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.
Just wait until the tax fraud squad start work. Now that will be worth reporting and the money the country will get back from that will be unbelievable.
Then perhaps a look at how many Civic Dinners the "Crackdown Council" have a year!
All I'm asking for is a little balance! Why such celebration when the morons are caught, and a "Don't care" attitude about the real thieves!
happyme
says...
2:50pm Mon 18 Mar 13
supermadmax says...
12:46pm Sat 16 Mar 13
"We will use any means necessary to put together a solid prosecution case"
Sullivan, you should never be prepared to break the law, simply because you suspect someone is guilty.