FOI 6298
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: HRC0006298/26
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 11th May 2026. Please find below the response to your request:
Please let me know in writing if you hold information, relating to tenancy fraud, of the following description:
- From 2020 to 2025, the number of reports received by the constabulary of fraudulent acquisition of rented residential property: specifically fraud by false representation (Section 2, Fraud Act 2006); possession or use of false identity documents under the Identity Documents Act 2010; and offences relating to Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.
- The outcomes of the aforementioned reports: no further action, charges, cautions, etc.
Reply
West Mercia Police hold the below information
|
Number of investigations where a suspect is alleged to have used false/details documents to obtain a tenancy agreement |
Calendar Year |
Grand Total |
|||||
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
||
|
Crime Investigation - Report fraud:- Call for Service |
|
3 |
|
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
Type 1 - Charged/Summonsed/Postal Requisition |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
Type 1A - Charged/Summons - alternate offence. Offender has been charged under the alternate offence rule. |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
|
4 |
|
Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Crime Investigation - Report fraud:- NFIB Referral |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
Type 1 - Charged/Summonsed/Postal Requisition |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
Grand Total |
|
3 |
|
2 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
Caveat: There is no specific offence title or markers to indicate that an investigation has involved the behaviour described. Therefore, a word search of the incident summaries and have reviewed all the returned investigations and included those in the totals which were relevant to the request.