A Burnham-On-Sea policeman has won a top award for his work in helping elderly people fight fraud.
Sergeant Ash Jones was among the volunteers from the regional Senior Citizen Liaison Team (SCLT) who attended the annual ‘Fighting Fraud Awards’ ceremony in central London.
Nominated in two of the four categories, the SCLT were announced as winners of the Fraud Awareness Award for their efforts to provide a tailored crime prevention and victim support service for the older adult population in the South West.
The group helps to educate and strengthen the older adult population against fraud, by giving safety presentations and publishing a bi-monthly magazine.
SCLT Trustee Ash Jones, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It is very humbling to come to these events in London and to meet the other, very worthy nominees. To actually win one of the Fighting Fraud Awards is an enormous honour and one which the whole team can take strength from.”
The Fighting Fraud Awards recognise the efforts of individuals and bodies within the public sector who have done most to combat and prevent fraud.
Present at the event was the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office, Mr Mark Sedwill CMG, who used his keynote speech to compliment the volunteers of the SCLT for their public service and commitment to the senior safety cause.
The awards are supported by the National Fraud Authority, the Cabinet Office and local government’s Fighting Fraud Locally Board.
Every year in the UK, fraud costs public services an estimated £31 billion. Right across the public sector the fight against fraud has been re-energised and refocused. More and more public bodies are undertaking innovative pilots and initiatives, many of which are saving considerable sums of taxpayers’ money.
The current edition of the group’s ‘Senior Siren’ magazine is available here.
