THE ongoing drive to hit benefit fraudsters hard is gathering pace with the introduction of new computer links between Redditch Council and the DSS.

Prosecutions are already in the pipeline as a result of the Housing Benefits Matching Service which has recently started targeted those working in the construction industry yet still claiming.

The system also means the council automatically knows about other benefits being claimed by those applying for housing and council tax benefit from the authority.

A council spokesman said: "This will enable the council's investigation section to see if there are any other claims being made by the people who come to us to claim Council Tax or Housing Benefit.

"We will be able to see where people have filled in our claim form but failed to detail other payments such as occupational pensions, industrial injury payments and other benefits.

"If they are in receipt of other benefits and not telling the council they could face prosecution."

The move comes in the wake of the council's Benefit Fraud Hotline set up last year for members of the public to tell on suspected fraudsters.

Since the line started in August around 120 calls have been received resulting in several prosecutions.

This year Redditch Council is looking to uncover at least £113,000 of benefit fraud. Last year it uncovered £300,000 of fraud.

The Hotline number is 534164.