Crackdown on injury fraud

Eleven arrests were made across the country on Wednesday in response to “trip and slip” insurance claims that insurers said did not add up.

Det Chief Insp David Wood, of City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, said: “We want to get to across that fraudulent personal injury claims are not a good idea and you will get a knock on your door.

“It is a not crime without consequences and there is a significant chance you will get yourself nicked.

“Today’s ‘trip and slip’ day of action marks a major step forward in our nationwide investigation targeting people suspected of trying to con insurers with bogus insurance claims.”

A spokesman for the fraud enforcement department said the largest claim currently under investigation was £200,000 for ongoing medical treatment.

The claimant had said the cash was needed to treat back and leg injuries suffered in a bus crash in Pakistan four years ago.

The force is also investigating a £15,000 claim for ligament damage and finger injuries. That claimant said they fell after sliding on water in a Bradford supermarket.

Another was an £8,500 claim for injuries sustained after slipping on water in the canteen of a London college.

Det Chief Insp Wood said many of the claims police investigated involved injuries in supermarkets or were made against local authorities after trips on potholes or loose paving stones.

He said fradulent claims cost £75m in 2013.

Sixty officers were involved in this week’s operation in which seven men and four women were arrested.

Arrests were made in West Yorkshire, Cleveland, Essex, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leceistershire and West Midlands.

A further three men and a woman were due to attend a police station.

The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department works closely with insurance providers to detect fraud.