TWO district councils have clamped down on benefit fraudsters as they prevented more than £410,000 in council tax discounts from being wrongly claimed last year.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils also recovered more than £160,000 which had already been paid out to illegal claims.

Between April 2015 and March this year the councils took action against 24 people, which resulted in: 16 convicted in court, seven receiving fines and one person cautioned.

Eventually a further £67,000 will be recovered in South Oxfordshire and £93,000 in Vale of White Horse.

South Oxfordshire Councillor Jane Murphy said: "People fraudulently claiming discounts on their council tax take money away from the public purse that could be used to help support our local services or those in genuine need.

"I’m very pleased that we have ensured this money will now be paid back and that we have prevented more than £410,000 from being illegally claimed in the future."

Leader of Vale of White Horse, Matthew Barber, added: "Discounts on council tax are there for those entitled to them or who genuinely need it, and not because you fancy paying less than your fair share.

"So it’s only right that these people have been brought to book and are now paying the price."

If you suspect that someone you know is committing council tax report it to: 01235 422483 or email fraud@southandvale.gov.uk