Rotherham: Financial abuse and exploitation service approved

A scheme to help prevent Rotherham residents falling foul of financial scams has been approved

Plans for a new service to help prevent people in Rotherham from becoming victims of financial abuse have been approved by councillors.

A specialist investigator will be recruited to look into current and historic cases of criminal exploitation, officials said.

Figures show a total of 150 concerns around financial abuse had been raised with the council so far this year.

Rotherham Council said it hoped the service would be started by April 2023.

Financial abuse was the third highest category of abuse raised with the council's adult social care services, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service..

Speaking at a meeting of the council's cabinet, council leader Chris Read said concern about financial exploitation was one of the top causes of referrals to the authority's social care team.

A sample of eight cases in Rotherham between 2014 and 2019 resulted in a financial loss of £111,678 between the individuals and the local authority.

A report to the council's cabinet stated the scheme would have a "positive impact on the welfare of adults within the borough," and help the council respond to potential financial abuse at an earlier stage.