A scheme to combat benefit fraud in Rochford has saved council taxpayers £40,000.
Over the past 18 months, the council has set up a new investigation system which has led to improved results of detecting benefits cheats.
Council spokeswoman Tamara Burton said: "For instance, cross reference of intelligence with other agencies can readily uncover failure to report changes in circumstances by claimants, and in particular uncover details of those who fail to declare a return to employment.
"The result is the number of prosecutions brought by the council has doubled in nine months and is likely to reach 16 by the end of the financial year, compared to seven the previous year.
"The new focus is identifying more fraud and has saved Rochford residents £40,000 in the last year."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article