Council tax benefit and housing benefit fraud are being targeted

Benefits cheats have been ordered to pay back more than �12,000 in fraudulent claims in a major crackdown.

Newcastle City Council has stepped up its efforts to track down offenders.

It has a policy committed to prosecuting people through the courts which has led to community punishment orders and fines as well as orders to hand back overpaid benefit.

Cabinet member for community and housing Councillor Ruth Robson said: "Newcastle City Council is committed to tracking down anyone who is claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit to which they are not entitled.

Reporting line

"As we work in partnership with the Benefits Agency and the police, our investigations often contribute to also helping track down those who have also fraudulently claimed a range of benefits."

The authority has increased its team of investigators who check the entitlement of those receiving payments.

The 18-staff team uses information from its 24-hour reporting line, which has attracted 930 calls from the public since it was launched two years ago.

The council's work to target offenders has earned it a subsidy from the Government of �152,000 towards local authority services.