Dishonest landlords and tenants are being taken to court for alleged benefit fraud in a crackdown by Bradford Council.

The clampdown has resulted in the conviction of two people, and ten others are awaiting court hearings.

Another five are being considered for prosecution by the Council.

The court action follows the installation of a confidential hotline by the Council six months ago. It means people can spill the beans on the culprits without being identified.

A report by officers to be considered by the Council's new Executive next Wednesday says that since May about 1,000 calls have been received.

They have resulted in 361 inquiries into alleged fraud by the Council's own investigation team - which should result in benefit savings of £300,000 by the end of the financial year in March.

The Council team is also working alongside investigators from the Benefits Agency as part of a Government initiative to stem the millions of pounds being lost from the public purse because of fraud.

Councillor Jim O'Neill, Executive member for Homes and Environment, said: "We are determined to make sure we prevent people from defrauding the benefits system, which is there to help the most vulnerable members of our community.

"Money claimed fraudulently from the housing benefit scheme is money drained from public funds, which should be spent helping those most in need. They are rightly entitled to benefits."

From April all new and existing claimants will have to provide proof of their identities, with valid National Insurance numbers and evidence of income and savings. Photocopies will not be accepted as proof.

All housing benefit customers will receive details of the new requirements in the next few weeks. The anti-fraud hotline number is 01274 757511.

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