Fraud and Corruption
Fraud costs the public sector an estimated £20 billion per year and £2 billion is lost by local government alone.
Fraud has an impact on the level of Council and Income Tax resources available to share amongst our community.
Our Assurance Service investigates all types of fraud and corruption allegations affecting the Council (including schools).
Whether you suspect our staff, partners, contractors or citizens, please don’t hesitate to report fraud.
Reporting fraud and corruption
You can report allegations of fraud to the Assurance Service by completing our fraud referral form.
You do not have to give your name. However, anonymous referrals are more difficult to investigate. We are also unable to confirm receipt of anonymous referrals.
You can also email counter.fraud@bexley.gov.uk
Housing benefit fraud
Benefit fraud, including Housing Benefit, is investigated by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
You can report suspected benefit fraud by calling the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440.
For more information, please visit Benefit fraud.
Examples of fraud investigated by the team
- social housing fraud such as unlawful subletting, false housing application and false tenancy succession application
- Council Tax fraud such as falsely claiming to be single and receiving 25 per cent discount on your council tax or providing false information to receive Council Tax Support
- Business Rates fraud such as companies falsely claiming empty property or charitable relief
- insurance fraud such as people who make false or exaggerated insurance claims against the council for tripping on pavements
- Direct Payments fraud such as people who falsely claim to be disabled to obtain care funds or dishonestly using funds for non-care purposes
- Blue Badge fraud such as persistently and dishonestly displaying a Blue Badge without the genuine holder being present, displaying a Blue Badge that has been reported lost/stolen, is counterfeit/forged (altered) or where the badge holder is deceased
Corruption
Council officers are not permitted to accept bribes and bribing a council officer is a serious criminal offence.
If you know of anyone at the council who has accepted a bribe or who has asked for money or other personal benefits to make a particular decision, please tell us about it.
Our policy
Read our anti-fraud and corruption strategy (PDF).
Counter-fraud work
We must annually publish information about our counter-fraud work including:
- number of occasions used Prevention of Social Housing Fraud power
- number of FTE investigators/prosecutors
- number of FTE accredited counter fraud officers
- total spend
- total number of cases investigated
| Period | Number Of Occasions They Use Powers Under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud (Power to Require Information) (England) Regulations 201432, Or Similar Powers | Total Number (Absolute) of Employees Undertaking Investigations and Prosecutions of Fraud | Total Number (Full Time Equivalent) of Employees Undertaking Investigations and Prosecutions of Fraud | Total Number (Absolute) of Professionally Accredited Counter Fraud Specialists | Total Number (Full Time Equivalent) Of Professionally Accredited Counter Fraud Specialists | Total Amount Spent by The Authority on The Investigation and Prosecution Of Fraud | Total Number of Fraud Cases Investigated | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4/2018 to 31/3/2019 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | The total number of investigators figure is for the Counter Fraud team only. The total number of employees investigating and prosecuting fraud comprises members of the Counter Fraud team and the Legal department. |
| 1/4/2019 to 31/3/2020 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | The total amount figure is for the Counter Fraud team only |
| 1/4/2020 to 31/3/2021 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | The total amount figure is for the Counter Fraud Team only |
| 1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | £108,717 | 339 | The total amount figure is for the Counter Fraud Team only |
| 1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023 | - | - | 1.6 | 2 | 1.6 | £112,785 | 323 | The total amount figure is for the Counter Fraud Team only |
| 1/4/2023 to 31/3/2024 | - | - | 1.6 | 3 | 1.6 | £100,756 | 208 | The total amount figure is for the Counter Fraud Team only, Number of professionally qualitied investigators increased from 2 to 3 on 19/12/2023 |
| 1/4/2024 to 31/3/2025 | - | - | 1.6 | 3 | 2.6 | - | - | The total amount figure is for the Counter Fraud Team only |
International Fraud Awareness Week 2024
The London Borough of Bexley is participating in the International Fraud Awareness Week 2024 and reaffirms its commitment to protecting the UK's public funds and services from fraud.
Public sector fraud costs the UK billions annually, affecting our NHS, schools, and vital services. Bexley works collaboratively with the Public Sector Fraud Authority, across wider government, and with external partners to find and prevent fraud.
Public sector fraud is far from a victimless crime. Its impacts ripple through our society, affecting every citizen and the services we all rely on. The consequences of the public sector being targeted by fraudsters include:
- Reduced funding for essential public services
- Erosion of public trust in government institutions
- Potential national security risks.
At the London Borough of Bexley, we're working tirelessly to mitigate these impacts. Our comprehensive strategy includes improving fund recovery mechanisms and enhancing prevention measures across all council departments. Every pound saved from fraud is a pound that can be invested in vital public services. #FraudWeek
Prevention is at the heart of the Government Counter Fraud Function strategy. As a collective, we're committed to building a public sector that's inherently resistant to fraud. Key elements of the Government’s preventative approach include:
- Implementing robust fraud controls across all government departments
- Conducting regular, comprehensive fraud risk assessments
- Fostering a 'fraud-aware' culture throughout the public sector
- Providing specialised training to public sector employees
Our work is ongoing and we're constantly refining our approach based on new insights and emerging threats and in line with the Government Counter Fraud Function Strategy.
Through initiatives like the UK Government’s International Public Sector Fraud Forum, the government is leading the charge in fostering cross-border partnerships to protect public funds.
Why is international collaboration so vital?
- Fraud is borderless: Criminals don’t respect international borders. The challenges the UK faces are often faced by our allies too.
- Shared Intelligence: Fraud tactics evolve rapidly. The government works with its Five Eyes partners, to stay ahead of emerging threats. Best Practice Exchange: Different countries have unique strengths in fraud prevention. Collaboration allows us to learn from each other's successes.
- This collaborative approach not only strengthens the UK's defences but also contributes to a global culture of integrity in public finance. By working together across borders, we can build greater resilience.