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Hillingdon Council is celebrating the outstanding innovation and determination of its counter fraud team following their category win at the Public Sector Counter Fraud Awards 2026.
The team won the Local Excellence Award, recognising their efforts and ongoing success in combatting financial crime and protecting public funds, at an awards ceremony held at the QEII Centre in London on Thursday 26 February.
Held in conjunction with the Counter Fraud Conference, which brings together industry professionals from across the UK to share best practise and enable collaboration, the team was also shortlisted for the Team of the Year Award, further highlighting the strength and impact of their work across Hillingdon.
The council is responsible for reviewing a range of potential frauds and dishonesty offences, including tenancy fraud, giving false information on applications, failing to declare income and misusing parking Blue Badges.
Since April 2025, through diligent proactive investigations and early intervention, the council has successfully:
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recovered £10.8 million to the public purse
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identified 116 false council tax discount and fraudulent social care claims
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recovered 92 council homes by stopping unlawful subletting and other housing fraud
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ended 33 emergency accommodation placements for non-occupation or false homelessness applications
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uncovered 65 outbuildings not registered for council tax
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prosecuted 12 individuals for Blue Badge fraud, securing £18,000 in fines and costs
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identified £2.3 million in new or improved business rates.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our counter fraud team, who work tirelessly to meticulously investigate cases and use the full force of the law to prosecute offenders and protect taxpayers’ money.
“Fraud against the council is a serious offence and will not be tolerated. Every pound lost to fraud is a pound taken from residents who genuinely need support.”
Anyone who suspects that someone is committing fraud against the council can report it directly, in confidence, at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/reportfraud or by calling 0800 389 8313.