A TRAFFORD councillor has welcomed a record number of benefits frauds detected in 2013/2014.

The latest fraud investigation service report, which prevents, deters, investigates and detects fraudulent benefit claims, says that £890,000 in overpayments were identified by the team.

Cllr Patrick Myers, the executive member for finance, says the figure beats all previous records, and thus proving the success in conducting more complex and in depth investigations, which identify higher levels of overpayments in many cases.

As a result Trafford Council is able to claim a subsidy of 40 per cent on all overpayments at recovery, which providing full amounts are paid, would result in an additional income stream of £225,000 per annum.

Targets set earlier this year for the number of sanctions or prosecutions issued, were exceeded by 18 per cent and the total amount recovered by 48 per cent.

Cllr Myers added: "There is no issue to people claiming benefits to which they are entitled, but the council takes a dim view towards those who continue play the system."