Benefit officers raid Isleworth home in fraud probe

Officials from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Hounslow Council's housing and council tax benefits department joined the Isleworth Safer Neighbourhoods team on the swoop last Thursday.

And the Chronicle was given exclusive access to the successful evening strike.

Our reporter watched as police gave chase after one of the couple's three adult children appeared to try and flee the house onto the Ivybridge estate with £4,000 in cash.

Brave Hannah Thomson, 23, eventually cornered the 25-year-old male, before PC Chris Mclean made the arrest.

The man claimed the money was for a holiday and he was released pending Inquiries by the Police's Financial investigations department into the source of the money.

It is alleged the 53-year-old mother started to claim income support after a split from her plumber hubby who is estimated to earn over £35,000 a year.

But it is suspected she continued receiving benefits even when he moved back into the family home.

As the team stormed the house with their search warrant, the mother was in the middle of dying her hair and the father eating his dinner.

Tensions were high as the investigation team searched the house for evidence the husband was living in the family home.

Police community support officers kept guard outside while officers attempted to keep the emotionally charged family under control.

Extra back up was called for to ensure the situation did not get out of control after it emerged that a son and daughter with her two young children would also be in the house.

Sgt Kirsty Hayes of the Isleworth Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "I think the raid went as well as it possibly could have, considering it was unexpected for there to be others in the house. However this was dealt with effectively."

The couple who cannot be named for legal reasons, were released on bail awaiting further questioning.are currently released on bail awaiting further questioning.