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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Campaign targets benefit cheats | Campaign targets benefit cheats |
| (4 days later) | |
| A campaign to crack down on benefit cheats will aim to reach criminals in the places where they spend their cash. | A campaign to crack down on benefit cheats will aim to reach criminals in the places where they spend their cash. |
| The "no ifs, no buts" campaign carries a message that there is no excuse for committing benefit fraud. | The "no ifs, no buts" campaign carries a message that there is no excuse for committing benefit fraud. |
| The government estimates that benefit cheats stole almost £1bn last year, compared with £2.1bn in 2001. | The government estimates that benefit cheats stole almost £1bn last year, compared with £2.1bn in 2001. |
| The anti-fraud message will be displayed on beer mats and in pub toilets, bingo halls and betting shops across Britain. | The anti-fraud message will be displayed on beer mats and in pub toilets, bingo halls and betting shops across Britain. |
| A television advertising campaign will also highlight the message that benefit fraud is a "real" crime with "real" victims. | A television advertising campaign will also highlight the message that benefit fraud is a "real" crime with "real" victims. |
| Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton said: "Benefit fraud is theft. | Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton said: "Benefit fraud is theft. |
| "We are committed to catching benefit thieves and bringing the toughest penalties against those who commit this crime. | "We are committed to catching benefit thieves and bringing the toughest penalties against those who commit this crime. |
| "The public are fed up with benefits thieves stealing money intended for society's most vulnerable. There are no excuses for taking money that isn't yours." | "The public are fed up with benefits thieves stealing money intended for society's most vulnerable. There are no excuses for taking money that isn't yours." |
| The Department for Work and Pensions carried out more than 52,000 prosecutions, sanctions and cautions on benefit fraudsters in 2005. | The Department for Work and Pensions carried out more than 52,000 prosecutions, sanctions and cautions on benefit fraudsters in 2005. |
| Among the many varied excuses given by fraudsters to inspectors was one that said: "I wasn't using the ladders to clean the windows, I carried them for therapy for my bad back." | Among the many varied excuses given by fraudsters to inspectors was one that said: "I wasn't using the ladders to clean the windows, I carried them for therapy for my bad back." |