Benefit cheats and council tenancy fraudsters have been targeted in a new cross-borough initiative.

The initiative was launched by Ealing and Kensington and Chelsea councils earlier this year.

The Track a Fraudster scheme shares and compares benefits data, tenancy details and financial records across eight London boroughs to identify people cheating the system.

The goal is to find people illegally subletting their council house while living elsewhere, as well as council housing tenants attempting to claim housing benefit at a second address.

Tenancy fraud costs taxpayers at least £900million a year, with each fraud case costing more than £18,000 per annum. It also prevents those in genuine need from being allocated council homes.

Barnet, Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow, Southwark and Westminster councils have also joined the pilot scheme.

Councillor Yvonne Johnson, cabinet member for finance and performance at Ealing Council, said: "Social housing fraud is a serious offence and I’m delighted Ealing Council is leading the way in identifying those responsible."

Credit reference agency Callcredit has been working with the councils to help develop the system for the sharing of information between the local authorities involved in the scheme.