A DISTRICT council is cracking down on benefit fraud after paying out more than £100,000 to cheats during the past financial year.

The amount was part of Harrogate Borough Council's benefit payout of £25m for the period and was caused by more than 40 cases of fraud.

But the council is determined to deter benefit cheats by prosecuting those caught.

The council has systems in place to detect those who lie about their circumstances or fail to report changing circumstances.

It has reinforced its processes to make sure that those genuinely making mistakes in their claims receive help to resolve them and it has a team of officers who can make home visits.

Andrew Jones, cabinet member for resources, said: "The Government entrusts the council with huge amounts of money for us to pay out benefits.

"If people take money from the benefits system to which they are not entitled, they will be found out and we will take action through the courts to recover the money.

"We will continue to protect the public purse to make sure that all money available in the benefits system reaches those who are entitled to it."

Members of the team can also force employers, banks and building societies to provide financial information where it is considered to be justifiable as part of their investigations.

The council has a 24-hour phone line to report benefit fraud.

All calls are confidential and will be investigated. The hotline is 01423-556466.