A crackdown which has prevented £2m worth of fraudulent housing applications in Richmond and Kingston has won a national award.

The work of the two borough's joint housing investigations team was recognised at the Fighting Fraud Locally Awards last week.

The team came top in the collaboration category, having recovered 25 social housing properties in Richmond and 17 in Kingston.

Richmond Council deputy leader Councillor Geoffrey Samuel said: "Once again this proves that cracking down and prosecuting fraudsters is a priority for this council.

"But not just a priority, one of our greatest successes - we uncover and prosecute fraudsters protecting the finances of our borough and acting resolutely on fraud."

Councillor Ian George, lead member for housing at Kingston Council, added: "Many local people really struggle to find quality housing here in Kingston. "Those who try to defraud the system prevent local families in genuine need of housing from getting the home they deserve."

Five fraudulent right-to-buy applications were identified in Richmond as well as seven in Kingston.