'Words of Advice' to Cleveland Police Officer Who Dismissed Serious Fraud Tip-Off....

The civilian member of staff who openly accused a member of the public of criminal activity in an email regarding a fraud allegation told they'll face no action, as the victims claim they're now suing the police for misconduct..

4th July 2025

A civilian member of staff working for Cleveland Police will reportedly face no disciplinary action after allegedly dismissing a serious fraud allegation against a council official—instead turning the blame on the victims for reporting the matter...

It’s claimed the force of no public confidence which was placed into special measures back in 2019 refused to investigate allegations involving a senior official working for Hartlepool Borough Council. The official—believed to work in the council’s legal department—allegedly impersonated a member of the public in order to unlawfully add the householders personal details to the electoral register somewhere between November & December 2022.

The householders say this was done without their consent or knowledge, with the local couple also claiming they've never voted in any local or parliamentary elections in Hartlepool since 2018 & had previously refused to be added to the electoral register.

According to the victims, the council official implicated in the fraud had been in email correspondence with the local couple just five days prior to the offence being committed, after they raised concerns about the behaviour of the council official. In their final email to the council legal officer sent in November 2022, the couple warned they would consider asking a solicitor to pursue action against the council official if the behaviour continued. Its claimed just five days after that email was sent, their details then mysteriously appeared on the councils electoral register.

In correspondence seen by Durham & Teesside Today, Lorraine Bennison Electoral Registrations Officer for Hartlepool Borough Council told the local householders that someone contacted the council by telephone back in December 2022 claiming to be one of the householders, where upon then successfully passed the councils so called 'security checks', they then asked the council to add their details to the councils electoral register. The person also then reportedly requested the householders partner be added to the same electoral register.

Hartlepool Borough Council however has provided no evidence to support those claims, with the victims continuing to deny they ever made such a request..

How many others have been put on the electoral register without their knowledge ?

Its unknown as to whether the victims personal details have then been used to vote in local elections

Fraudulently adding someone’s details to the electoral register without their knowledge or consent is a criminal offence under the Representation of the People Act 1983. It is considered a form of election fraud and can carry serious penalties, including a fine, imprisonment for up to six months on summary conviction, or up to two years’ imprisonment on indictment. Such conduct is said to undermine the integrity of the democratic process and may also breach data protection and identity fraud laws, potentially leading to further legal consequences.

However, Its claimed when the couple attempted to report the matter to Cleveland Police having only become aware of the alleged fraud taking place in early 2025 during a routine credit check—they were shocked to receive a blunt email from a civilian police member of staff just four hours after the report was logged dismissing the case entirely & even openly accusing the victims themselves of criminality, claiming they should be the ones under investigation, not the local borough council.

Following this response, the couple then lodged a formal complaint, where months later, Cleveland Police eventually responded, confirming the civilian staff member involved would merely receive “words of advice.” The force refused to say whether the original allegation of fraud would be reopened or even properly investigated.

Unsatisfied with the response by Cleveland Police, Durham & Teesside Today understands the victims have now sought legal advice and are said to be pursuing legal action against Cleveland Police for negligence and misconduct in public office regarding the incident, as the lack of supporting evidence of the alleged telephone call to Hartlepool Borough Council which they claim was made is seemingly enough to show the councils covering for the official involved in the alleged fraud.

The case however raises more troubling questions about Cleveland Police’s unwillingness to investigate fraud involving public officials—and whether there's a deeper reluctance to hold powerful figures accountable, with some campaigners likening the situation to the early stages of the Rochdale Grooming Scandal, where concerns were reportedly dismissed by both local authorities and the police in order to avoid scrutiny of wrongdoing within council ranks...