Experts are aiming to prevent internal fraud by local authority workers in North Yorkshire.

The head of the county’s specialist fraud investigation unit, Veritau, has said that with personal financial hardship on the increase there could be a “heightened risk” that people may be tempted to commit fraud.

Max Thomas said: “The more we can do to identify fraud in the system and to stop it before it actually occurs is obviously a huge bonus.”

Veritau, which was set up in 2009 by North Yorkshire County Council, will now work more closely with district councils in the county, including Selby and Scarborough.