Cheating family chased through Ivybridge Esate

Jul 30 2008 By Jessica Thomas

Police arrest members of the family

Police and benefit officials launched a dramatic raid on an Isleworth couple's home amid allegations of major benefits fraud.

The married grandparents, 53 and 55, are accused of wrongly claiming thousands of pounds in income support and housing benefits since 2003.

Officials from the Department for Work and Pensions and Hounslow Council's housing and council tax benefits department joined the Isleworth Safer Neighbourhood Team on the swoop last Thursday. The Chronicle was given exclusive access to the successful evening strike - for more of our acount see tomorrow's paper.

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

It is alleged the 53-year-old mother started to claim income support after a split from her husband, who is estimated to earn more than £35,000 a year, and then continued to rake in taxpayers' money after he moved back into the family home.

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

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.