FRAUD busters are cracking down on Droitwich Spa residents who make false benefit claims at the cost of the public purse.

Wychavon District Council is playing its part to hunt out fraudsters who cost the country a staggering £50m.

This week residents will receive a postcard depicting a fish encouraging them to blow the whistle on people who they believe are making 'fishy' false benefit claims.

They will be urged to call Wychavon's revenues team, where they can talk to a member of staff in confidence or be put through to an answerphone.

Wychavon is backing a national fraud detection and deterrent programme organised by the public spending watchdog - the Audit Commission.

Detected fraud and overpayments amounted to more than £20,000 at Wychavon in the past.

More than 600 organisations are backing the crackdown including the police and fire authorities, pension agencies, the NHS and central government bodies.

Participants supplied dates for cross matching between systems to identify where fraud maybe occurring.

Wychavon's head of revenues, Liz Dyde, said: "Fraud can take all forms of guises from someone claiming housing benefit and not declaring their correct income to a person giving us false information to receive a reduced council tax bill.

"All fraud costs you, the taxpayers, money and with your help we can take action to reduce the amount of fraudulent claims throughout the district."

"We take a very pro-active anti-fraud stance - we have already had successful prosecutions, " she added.