Investigation and prosecution of Council fraud

Can you provide the following information  for your local authority from the financial year 17/18.

Question 1
The total and absolute number of full time employees undertaking the investigation and prosecution of fraud?

In 2017/18 we did not have any “dedicated” counter fraud staff working for DCC.
However. we were asked to support 17 instances of suspected fraud and / or irregularity and we set aside 96 days of audit time for this work. 96 days would equate to approximately 0.5 fte.

Question 2
The total and absolute number of full time employees who are professionally Accredited Counter Fraud Specialists?

Nil

Question 3
The total number of fraud cases investigated by your local authority?

Question 4
The total amount of money spent on the investigation and prosecution of fraud by your local authority?

Question 5
The total number of irregularities investigated?

Question 6
The total number of a) the fraud and b) the irregularities that were identified?

Question 7
The total number of individuals who were prosecuted for fraud by the local authority?

The information requested in questions 3-7 is published online by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).  Devon County Council provide an annual return to CIPFA which is then published on their website.   This information can be seen on their website:

https://www.cipfa.org/services/counter-fraud-centre/fraud-and-corruption-tracker

Question 8
The total number of individuals who were sanctioned in some other way by the local authority for fraud and related offences?

Nil