Corporate Fraud Unit

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Anti Fraud and Corruption Strategy

Joint statement by the former Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Burke and the Chief Executive, Geoff Alltimes in 2005

"It is the Council’s duty to protect the public money we spend to serve our community and to administer this money well. Unfortunately, fraud is an ever present danger in any organisation which could undermine the efforts of the honest, hardworking majority of Council employees.

Fraud can occur in many ways and apart from the loss of public money if fraud occurs, our integrity, our reputation and the quality services we provide are also undermined.

However, the Council has strong prevention and detection measures in place and we believe we are doing all we can to counter the ever-present threats that fraud and corruption pose.

Systems alone are not the solution, every individual must play their part in the prevention of fraud. Where fraud is suspected, it must be reported. We are creating a culture where it is the fraudster who is pilloried, not the reporter or whistleblower.

This Council has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption. Through the controls we have in place, the support systems that exist, the culture we have developed, and the efforts of the people responsible for bringing fraudsters to justice, we are committed  to stamping out fraudulent behaviour. Where fraud is detected we will investigate thoroughly and fairly, and where it is proven we will not hesitate to involve the police and take serious legal action.

We will protect the reporters of fraud and we will ensure that every measure is taken to make fraud difficult to commit, likely to be detected and certain to be punished.

We expect everyone to play their part in taking responsibility for their own conduct, and protecting our corporate standards. Everyone must promote and demand an environment where honesty and integrity are key, basic principles.

In this way we can contribute to fulfilling our duty to the public, and continue to deliver a safe, clean and green environment, a fair chance for all and convenient services effectively, efficiently and with pride."

» National Fraud Initiative