Sandwell Council's Counter Fraud Unit has protected public funds through investigations, prosecutions and prevention work during 2025/26, according to the Council's annual Counter Fraud Report.
The unit completed 281 investigations and secured 29 prosecutions. The work resulted in the recovery of 42 council properties and prevented 10 fraudulent Right to Buy purchases.
Housing applications were cancelled as part of the drive against fraud. The Council also removed fraudulent Single Person Discounts and issued 177 financial penalties to residents found to have made incorrect claims.
Blue badge misuse was tackled with 27 warning letters issued during the year.
National context
Fraud now accounts for 41 per cent of all crime in England and Wales, according to the National Crime Agency's National Strategic Assessment.
Council response
Councillor Gary Dale, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services and Statutory Deputy Leader, said: "Every pound lost to fraud is a pound that cannot be spent on vital services for our residents. These results demonstrate our commitment to protecting public money, supporting honest residents and ensuring fraudsters are held accountable for their actions."
Councillor Owen Nelson, Chair of Sandwell Council's Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, said: "Fraud diverts resources away from the services our residents rely on and undermines public confidence in how public money is spent."
