Fraud campaign sees suspect claims fall by 800

A crackdown on council tax fraud has resulted in a fall of more than 800 claimants - more than double its initial target.

- Nic Marko

Hartlepool Borough Council last year announced it was looking at targeting people wrongly claiming single person discount - either intentionally or unintentionally - on their council tax bills.

This was followed by a "prosecution amnesty" in April ahead of a new sanction policy beginning.

The discount provides a 25% reduction to households and is available if only one person 18 years or over lives at a property as their sole or main residence.

It can also be claimed where there are two adults living at a property but one is disregarded for council tax, for example because they are a full-time student.