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. 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)

12:46pm Sat 16 Mar 13

supermadmax says...

If Mr Sullivan genuinely feels this is a "complex case" , I suggest he resigns his position immediately.

"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.
If Mr Sullivan genuinely feels this is a "complex case" , I suggest he resigns his position immediately. "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. supermadmax

1:27pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Not A Native says...

So according to Rich Carol, I can deduce that if someone with a funny foreign name is arrested, then it's all the fault of 'being soft on immigrants'. But when it's someone who looks like they probably have a fine upstanding English name, then it's the fault of, erm.. 'being soft on immigrants' and letting them teach our fine upstanding citizens how to do this 'crime' stuff that was invented in a faraway country called 'abroad, somewhere'

Good work Rich Carol - I smell a nobel prize in this for your clever reasoning
So according to Rich Carol, I can deduce that if someone with a funny foreign name is arrested, then it's all the fault of 'being soft on immigrants'. But when it's someone who looks like they probably have a fine upstanding English name, then it's the fault of, erm.. 'being soft on immigrants' and letting them teach our fine upstanding citizens how to do this 'crime' stuff that was invented in a faraway country called 'abroad, somewhere' Good work Rich Carol - I smell a nobel prize in this for your clever reasoning Not A Native

2:47pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Carnabackable says...

Nice to see another scrounger being nicked, pay them in vouchers for food from Aldi, and see how fewer claim....,
Nice to see another scrounger being nicked, pay them in vouchers for food from Aldi, and see how fewer claim...., Carnabackable

6:24pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Nebs says...

Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.
Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence. Nebs

10:46pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Devils Advocate says...

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!
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

10:57pm Sat 16 Mar 13

asbo in a coma says...

Devils Advocate wrote:
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!
the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.
[quote][p][bold]Devils Advocate[/bold] wrote: 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![/p][/quote]the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work. asbo in a coma

9:19am Sun 17 Mar 13

Shoebury_Cyclist says...

Nebs wrote:
Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.
Really? Ever heard of night shifts?
[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.[/p][/quote]Really? Ever heard of night shifts? Shoebury_Cyclist

12:07pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Nebs says...

Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:
Nebs wrote:
Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.
Really? Ever heard of night shifts?
Fair enough.
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.
[quote][p][bold]Shoebury_Cyclist[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.[/p][/quote]Really? Ever heard of night shifts?[/p][/quote]Fair enough. 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. Nebs

12:17pm Sun 17 Mar 13

asbo in a coma says...

Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:
Nebs wrote:
Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.
Really? Ever heard of night shifts?
quelle surprise...the usual suspects. rushing to the defence of the benefit scrounger.
[quote][p][bold]Shoebury_Cyclist[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: Still in bed at 11am. That, in itself, is sufficient for a jail sentence.[/p][/quote]Really? Ever heard of night shifts?[/p][/quote]quelle surprise...the usual suspects. rushing to the defence of the benefit scrounger. asbo in a coma

9:56pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Devils Advocate says...

asbo in a coma wrote:
Devils Advocate wrote:
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!
the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.
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?
[quote][p][bold]asbo in a coma[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Devils Advocate[/bold] wrote: 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![/p][/quote]the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.[/p][/quote]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

9:57pm Sun 17 Mar 13

Devils Advocate says...

asbo in a coma wrote:
Devils Advocate wrote:
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!
the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.
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?
[quote][p][bold]asbo in a coma[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Devils Advocate[/bold] wrote: 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![/p][/quote]the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.[/p][/quote]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

10:39pm Sun 17 Mar 13

asbo in a coma says...

Devils Advocate wrote:
asbo in a coma wrote:
Devils Advocate wrote:
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!
the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.
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?
total demoralisation but sufficient venality and criminality to execute large scale benefit fraud. obviously selectively motivated...the left wing utopia.
[quote][p][bold]Devils Advocate[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]asbo in a coma[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Devils Advocate[/bold] wrote: 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![/p][/quote]the difference is that taxes are morally wrong. does lying in your den of iniquity at 11am qualify as looking for work.[/p][/quote]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?[/p][/quote]total demoralisation but sufficient venality and criminality to execute large scale benefit fraud. obviously selectively motivated...the left wing utopia. asbo in a coma

2:50pm Mon 18 Mar 13

happyme says...

I see my comment has been deleted by echo, whys that then tell me. Is it because i mentioned another scrounger called VIKKI KING!!!!!!!!!
I see my comment has been deleted by echo, whys that then tell me. Is it because i mentioned another scrounger called VIKKI KING!!!!!!!!! happyme

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