Westminster's Fraud Team has uncovered over £1 million in fraudulent activity during the 2024/25 financial year, according to the Counter Fraud 2024/25 End of Year report. The Corporate Anti-Fraud Service (CAFS) identified 179 positive outcomes, showcasing the council's commitment to protecting public funds.
Beyond detection and prosecution, the council employs several preventative measures. These include fraud awareness training for school governors and proactive data analysis facilitated by participation in the London NFI Fraud Hub.
For the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, CAFS investigated 648 cases, including 416 new referrals, and concluded 331 investigations. A conclusion could mean supporting a successful prosecution, successful prevention that stops fraud, detection that identifies fraud and prevents it from continuing, action that deters fraud, or no further action where there is no case to answer.
The Annual Report of the Audit and Performance Committee - 8 July 2025 states that the Audit and Performance Committee plays a vital role in scrutinising the council's governance structures and financial reporting processes.
Key areas of focus for CAFS include:
- Housing and Tenancy Fraud: Recovering misused properties to alleviate housing shortages. CAFS recovered 34 properties, making them available to those in genuine need.
- Blue Badge Misuse: Prosecuting individuals who fraudulently use disabled parking badges. CAFS successfully prosecuted 17 individuals, resulting in fines and cost orders totalling £14,414. Fifty-one cases of parking fraud were proven.
- National Fraud Initiative (NFI): Participating in data-matching exercises to identify fraud and error. The NFI identified five cases of fraud and error, with a notional value of £6,153.
- London Fraud Hub: The Council has joined the London NFI Fraud Hub, which offers a cost-effective solution for cross-boundary and internal data matching to identify fraud. The Hub allows unlimited data uploads and generates real-time fraud matches as new data is submitted. It also facilitates data cleansing, which improves analytical accuracy and reduces false alarms.
The Annual Report of the Audit and Performance Committee - 8 July 2025 highlights the importance of the Audit and Performance Committee's role in reviewing these activities. The Committee ensures that the Council maintains high ethical standards and that resources are used effectively.
Westminster City Council's commitment to fighting fraud is evident in the proactive measures taken by CAFS and the oversight provided by the Audit and Performance Committee. These efforts help to safeguard public funds and ensure that resources are used for the benefit of the community.
