Specialist teams investigating reports of fraud totalling over £100,000 descended on a house on Musters Road earlier today as part of what they called “proactive and intelligence-led action” into the claims.
Officers from Nottinghamshire Police’s Reacher team and investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions carried out the warrant as part of an investigation into false claims for benefits. It is alleged that members of the public had been coerced into giving personal details, which had then been used to falsely claim Universal Credit.
Intelligence led officers to carry out the warrant in Ruddington this morning (Tuesday 28th September 2021). A 27-year-old woman was later arrested on suspicion of money laundering and fraud by false representation. She has not been named, but police say a number of items, including documents and a mobile phone, were recovered and will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
‘Operation Reacher’ Sergeant Matt Sisson, overseeing the police support of the warrant, explains: “Fraud is an awful crime where often a person’s vulnerability is targeted in order for offenders to gain financially from it.
We assisted with this warrant as part of an ongoing investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions and a woman was subsequently arrested. She remains in custody. As part of a policing team who are committed to working proactively to tackle issues that are affecting our communities, it has been really pleasing to be able to work in this way alongside partners to help their investigation as we know exactly how effective this can be.”
‘Operation Reacher’ has expanded to all 12 of Nottinghamshire’s neighbourhood policing areas after a pilot team in Bestwood successfully targeted organised crime groups on the estate between 2018 and 2019. Since October 2020, the dedicated teams have worked to engage with communities, listen to them about the issues that matter most and tailor their policing to this. As well as this, Nottinghamshire Police says the teams are reaching out to more people on social media. They say this improved level of engagement has greatly increased the number of proactive policing leads received by the teams – helping them to crack down on serious local offenders.
Sergeant Sisson adds: “Community intelligence is hugely important in our work. It means we can target where we put our resources and as a result it is so important that locals feel able to provide us with any information and speak to us about any concerns about criminality in their area. Our message to residents is that if they tell us about crime in their area, it will be on our agenda, and we will work tirelessly to make sure criminals are on the back foot.”
Minister for Welfare Delivery David Rutley says: “I commend the action taken by Nottinghamshire Police today which shows that by working together we can put a stop to organised crime, protect taxpayers money and make sure help isn’t diverted from those most in need.”
Nottinghamshire Police also released the video below showing this morning’s Ruddington raid.
