Arrests in Blackburn and Accrington in 'crash for cash' probe (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Arrests in Blackburn and Accrington in 'crash for cash' probe

9:30am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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POLICE believe they have cracked a major ‘crash for cash’ insurance fraud ring after making eight arrests across Blackburn and Accrington.

Detectives swooped on addresses in Cherry Street, Wareham Street, Bethel Road, Town Walk, Hodder Place and Bowness Close, all Blackburn, and College Street, Accrington.

Two people were also arrested in Bolton and one in Manchester.

Chief Inspector Kevin Evans said ‘crash for cash’ scams involved people ‘staging road accidents’ and braking hard in front of unsuspecting drivers.

He said: “They then exaggerate the level of injuries and put in much inflated claims for damage and bogus injuries.”

The ‘Operation Klymene’ raids in the early hours were co-ordinated and led by Lancashire Constabulary, with help from Greater Manchester Police.

All have been arrested on suspicion of fraud and were interviewed at Greenbank police station, Whitebirk.

Chief Insp Evans added: “As a result of this investigation a number of addresses have been searched in both Lancashire and Greater Manchester resulting in a number of arrests for fraud related offences.

“It is estimated that this type of crime results in costs of up to £45 a year for every genuine insurance premium customer throughout the country.

“Lancashire Constabulary is committed to reducing crime to make our communities safer and reduce the cost of crime to everyone.”

Detectives would not reveal details of when and where they suspected crash for cash ‘accidents’ had taken place because of 'ongoing inquiries'.

A spokesman for the RAC Foundation said: “Crash for cash scams are not victimless crimes.

“Those innocent motorists directly targeted are at risk of physical injury and can be left badly shaken by being involved in an accident.

"And of course the rest of us suffer when we see the cost of insurance cover soaring.

“The insurance industry estimates about £40 of each premium goes to meet and fight fraudulent activity, and in times of recession this type of criminality often increases.

"In 2008 false claims of £360 million were detected.”

Those arrested yesterday morning were a 24 year old man and a 24-year-old woman from Cherry Street, a 26-year-old man from Wareham Street, a 23-year-old man from Bethel Road, a 27-year-old man from Town Walk, a 21-year-old man from Hodder Place, a 25-year-old man from Bowness Close, all Blackburn and a 29-year-old man from College Street, Accrington.

Also arrested were an 18-year-old from Bridgeman Street, Bolton, a 35-year-old man from Broom Lane, Manchester, and a 31-year-old man from Balmore Close, Bolton.