STAFF are being urged to turn whistleblowers in a bid to crack down on fraud at Lancashire County Council.

A special hotline number, which is being distributed to staff but is not widely available, is being launched by Lancashire County Council for staff to report on contractors, councillors or fellow colleagues who are fiddling cash from the authority.

County council bosses have been quick to stress the hotline is a preventative measure and not in response to a particular problem.

It is part of their new anti-fraud strategy, which aims to make sure that the highest financial standards are adhered to.

Last year, 51 cases of fraud were investigated by the council. They included several linked to £65,000 of pension overpayments. Six cases were referred to the police, while in just 15 cases money was recovered.

County councillors hope a high-profile whistleblowers' line will make staff think twice before participating in fraud.

Lancashire's Anti-Fraud Strategy will comply with the seven principles of public life adopted by the Nolan Report into local governance: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The policy will not only cover employees and elected members of the county council, but also contractors.

The chairman of the Audit Committee, County Councillor Albert Thornton said: "We are introducing a new Anti-Fraud Strategy to ensure we maintain our hard won reputation for financial probity.

"Over and above protecting our good name we are concerned to avoid any financial loss to the public money that is entrusted to us.

"We will take firm and vigorous action against anyone perpetrating fraud against the County Council and this policy encourages our employees to be vigilant and raise any concerns promptly via a Whistleblowing phoneline.

"Prevention is better than cure, and these measures will act as a deterrent to anyone who may stray from the standards we expect. Lancashire County Council believes in promoting the very highest standards in public life and this policy will ensure that they are maintained."

Earlier this year, staff at Lancashire County Council were urged to report friends and colleagues who were wilfully vandalising the Preston-based County Hall head office.

Cases of ornate tap tops and radiator valves being stolen were confirmed at the time.

A spokesman added: "The purpose of the strategy is to raise everyone's awareness of fraud and also to ensure that members, employees and others who provide services on behalf of the County Council know who to contact if they think something is wrong."