Case highlights lack of Police interest in pursuing fraud cases

More than £200,000 was lost and 210 laptops were reportedly stolen from Coventry Council in two fraud cases uncovered in 2022.

The thefts were carried out by a council employee and continued for several months before being detected.

In July 2025, the individual was dismissed and received a suspended prison sentence.

Speaking at a meeting of the Council’s audit and procurement committee in February, Chief Internal Auditor Karen Tyler confirmed that a substantial quantity of equipment had been lost over a relatively short period.

She explained that the Council routinely holds large volumes of laptops due to staff turnover and device replacement programmes.

Ms Tyler acknowledged that previous stock-checking arrangements had not been strong enough.

Councillors were told that improvements have since been introduced, including more regular verification of equipment holdings.

Coventry Council’s audit and procurement committee also heard about a separate case involving suspected fraudulent claims linked to European Regional Development grants.

Although the police chose not to pursue four businesses, the Council initiated its own legal action and successfully recovered £138,000 of the £188,000 paid to three of them.

Roger Isaacs, National Technical Director of NIFA, comments: “This case is another example of the Police deciding not to take action in relation to what appears to have been a substantial fraud.

“The fact that the Council was able to recover such large sums suggests that it had compelling evidence.

“Unfortunately, lack of resources mean that Police prosecutions for fraud are rare which is why more and more victims are taking civil legal actions to recover stolen funds or even launching private prosecutions, usually supported by forensic accountancy expert evidence.”

Sources: Coventry Telegraph

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