MORE than �40,000 has been collected in unpaid Council Tax after a two-month crack down was launched. East Cambridgeshire District Council say in the last two months, nine people have been targeted by officers for deliberate non-payment of Council Tax i

MORE than �40,000 has been collected in unpaid Council Tax after a two-month crack down was launched.

East Cambridgeshire District Council say in the last two months, nine people have been targeted by officers for deliberate non-payment of Council Tax in East Cambridgeshire.

Anglia Revenues Partnership, working on behalf of ECDC, has served petitions for bankruptcy on people who have persistently avoided paying Council Tax.

This targeted action enables the council to collect �41,504 of previously uncollected Council Tax debt across East Cambridgeshire, Forest Heath and Breckland. ECDC say the Partnership will continue to use every recovery method available to recover unpaid Council Tax so the vast majority of residents in the district are not forced to pay more to cover the deceit of non-payers.

Cllr Fred Brown, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "In order to keep your Council Tax bill low, and to be fair to those who pay their Council Tax, all councils have to collect Council Tax quickly and efficiently using every method available to them. Unfortunately there are always a small minority of people who choose not to pay or who deliberately avoid payment. It is these deliberate non-payers we target.

"We have a good rate of prompt payment in the district with more than 98 per cent of tax payers paying their Council Tax within the year it becomes due. For those in genuine difficulties we will do all we can to help and explain the benefits, which could help with their financial problems. However, if you can pay and you continue to avoid doing so - we will track you down.

INFO: To qualify for Council Tax discounts or any other form of benefits contact the district council on 01353 665555.

If members of the public have information about suspected Council Tax fraud they can report it on 0845 072 6000, by email at: counciltax@angliarevenues.gov.uk or by writing to Council Tax, Anglia Revenues Partnership, Breckland House, St Nicholas Street, Thetford IP24 3EP. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.