Taxpayers were cheated out of £315,000 by benefit cheats and fraudsters last year.

Harrow Council released the figures as a part of their anti-fraud week, which is dedicated to getting tough on crooks who swindle their way to undeserved cash through foul means.

The seven-day campaign aims to raise awareness of what taxpayers can do to identify fraudsters so Harrow Council can take action against them.

Conservative leader of Harrow Council Susan Hall said: “Fraud is stealing, plain and simple, and people are not just stealing from us, they are stealing from their neighbours who work hard and pay their taxes."

Since April last year, council fraud officers have identified and prevented fraud, saving the borough £1million, which covers everything from false housing benefit claims, to the use of fake disabled parking badges.

Ms Hall added: “I hope this week will really show people how unfair this type of behaviour is and what the Council is doing to stamp it out.”

If you want to report someone committing fraud against the Council, you can visit: www.harrow.gov.uk/fraud  or call 020 8424 1834.