BENEFITS cheats in Bury are set to be busted as council officers begin a "door-knocking" policy.

Thousands of pounds of Government cash have been allocated to the council, allowing social services officers to visit homes of potential fraudsters.

The scheme is expected to reap an annual saving of more than £380,000 in the town.

The financial boost comes as ministers are encouraging local councils to knock on more front doors to tackle fraud.

Last week Social Security Minister John Denham announced a £26.6 million double initiative to prevent and detect more cases of Housing Benefit fraud.

Bury council will receive £45,896 to enable officers to check up on suspected fraudsters by visiting their homes. Nationwide almost three quarters of a million visits will be made by local councils over the next 12 months, more than 1,100 planned for Bury.

The town's fraud-busting windfall is just part of the £1.17 million paid out to 27 local authorities in the North West.

Council bosses are also contributing nearly £18,500 towards the scheme.

Announcing Bury's cash boost, Mr Denham said: "Extra home visits by local councils are a visible, tried and tested way of reducing the level of opportunity for fraud.

"We are working in partnership with authorities to introduce better administration and good practise across the board.

"By setting up better systems and procedures we can make the Housing Benefit system more secure and move our emphasis from detection to prevention. We promise tough action against fraud."

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