A crackdown on fraud by Rotherham Council has seen a staggering £2.8 million recovered during the past year.

The shock figures are shown in the council's first Annual Fraud Report which highlights the work of the authority's Benefits Team in the recovery of the overpayments made as a result of fraud or error.

The nine-page report shows that while the level of overpayments in Rotherham was found to be average compared with other councils, the authority's recovery rate was the best.

The report describes how the council works with the Audit Commission to identify ineligible claims by matching data from various systems and organisations.

For example, matching benefits and employment records has identified false benefits claims and matching current and former housing tenants' records has identified current tenants who had previously racked up substantial rent arrears.