Three people have been charged for insurance fraud as part of the ongoing enquiry into ‘cash for crash’ scams in West Yorkshire.

Over the past 10 months West Yorkshire Police have been working in close conjunction with the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) to expose thousands of pounds worth of alleged false motor accident claims.

Operation Pelican resulted in a total of 22 arrests. 3 people have been charged, whilst 16 were cautioned for minor fraud offences. Three of those arrested were eliminated from enquiries.

A 37 year old male from the Keighley area has been charged by police with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, the intimidation of witnesses, and conspiracy to defraud insurance companies.

A 36 year old female from the area has been charged with conspiracy to defraud insurance companies, whilst a 57 year old vehicle examiner has been charged with conspiracy to defraud insurance companies and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

All three of the individuals charged will appear before magistrates in Bingley Court later this week.

John Mountain, Detective Inspector of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Innocent policy holders are paying for this kind of crime. Fraud increases the average premium by 5% or around £40.

“We will continue to work closely with the Insurance Fraud Bureau and take a robust stance in targeting and disrupting the criminal gangs preying on innocent motorists and the insurance industry.”

IFB’s chairman, John Beadle, added: “The insurance industry is no longer an easy touch for these organised fraudsters.

“We will continue to work closely with West Yorkshire Police and are delighted with the results achieved to date via this ongoing inquiry.

“We know these criminal gangs affect honest motorists in a number of different ways and are ruthless. Through our partnership approach with the Police we will continue to find, expose and pursue those criminals involved in organised insurance fraud.”