THE work of an investigative team at Thurrock Council has been highlighted in a report to the authority's audit committee – saying its job is to 'investigate economic crime against the Council and ensure that the council does not fall victim to criminal behaviour'.

The report was a performance update into the council's counter fraud & investigation team.

Its designated role is prevention, detection and deterrence of all instances of alleged economic crim affecting the authority including allegations of fraud, theft, corruption, bribery and money laundering.

The report was presented by Michael Dineen, assistant director for counter fraud, enforcement and public protection. It can be read in full via this link.

It focused on work carried out into 123 allegations involving the use of council houses and says the outcome is 12 council homes being returned to the authority – work that has saved the council £576,000.

Figures for the first six months of 2024/25 show the team investigated 123 reports of suspected fraud, closing 81 cases after no evidence of fraud was found. It currently has 67 investigations open.

The team investigated the illegitimate use of council homes and returned 12 properties to the council's housing stock so "those in need could be re-homed".

Mr Dineen's report added had been "renewed focus on delivering training and knowledge across the authority, from employees to members but particularly towards the council's public facing staff."

It said: "The counter fraud investigation team have been engaging with high-risk areas, such as housing and social care, to ensure all employees that work within these high-risk areas are aware of the signs of fraud or unlawful behaviour."

Addressing councillors Mr Dineen said educating staff had led to an initial increase in fraud reports. He said: "It's on a downward trajectory in terms of reporting to five years ago. However, we are seeing an increase. What we're doing with staff and service areas means that we are starting to see an upward trajectory in referrals which is a good thing.

"You always get an increase before you get a plateau if you're aiming to educate and push for reporting, so that doesn't concern me.

"The only concern I have is that criminals get smarter and therefore so does technology and we just have to keep fighting that fight in relation to different bits of technology and understanding where they're moving."

The report adds: The team are in place to investigate economic crime against the Council and ensure that the council does not fall victim to criminal behaviour as well as being the conduit to staff, councillors and our residents to report criminal activity to the correct departments."

An appendix details 'key actions' by the team. The meeting can be viewed via this link.