A CAMPAIGN has been launched to tackle housing fraud.

Basildon Council is holding an amnesty, where tenants who are illegally subletting their properties will be able to return their keys without fear of prosecution.

The scheme is designed to ensure council houses go to those most in need.

After the amnesty ends on Saturday, November 7, the Tory administration will begin taking action aginst offenders.

They face up to two years in prison, and fines of up to £50,000.

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, said: "This campaign will tackle housing fraud in the interests of supporting those in genuine need and ensuring we deliver value for money. The campaign is seen as a major offensive on housing fraud with extra resources being made available to investigate and prosecute.

"Work elsewhere in the country has shown that as much as five per cent of Council owned properties are involved in some form of housing fraud. This means there are potentially hundreds of families on Basildon’s waiting list who shouldn’t be there.

"This campaign will tackle housing fraud in the interests of supporting those in genuine need and ensuring we deliver value for money.

"Once the key amnesty ends our team will be working 24/7 and any tenant caught committing council house fraud will face prosecution."

A key collection box will be placed in the reception area of the Basildon Centre, in St Martin's Square.