The Oxford Investigation Service is an integral part of Oxford City Council's on-going commitment to protecting public funds and ensuring value for money for the local community.

Following the change to benefit legislation in 2013, the team began the process of becoming a corporate counter fraud service. Since this change of focus the team has gone from strength to strength, recovering over £11 million for Oxford City Council and over £5 million for partner agencies. One of the key reasons the service has seen such success is the ethos of the team. The team strives to make innovation and best practice a core feature in their work with all partner organisations. Working together is the only way we can combat fraud. 

Oxford Investigation Service has considerable fraud investigation experience, with a track record of delivering high value positive results. This includes significant experience in dealing with both civil and criminal investigations. All of the officers are fully trained to an accredited professional standard and receive regular refresher training to ensure that they are up to date with ongoing changes to legislation.

Counter fraud services are provided for Oxford City Council as well as various partner organisations across the UK. The teams versatile experience allows services to be made bespoke to the needs of individual partners and clients, whilst ensuring investigations are conducted in line with civil and criminal requirements. Oxford Investigation Service offers both reactive and pro-active initiatives, utilising their expertise in data-matching technology.

Services include conducting formal interviews under caution in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), gathering intelligence and evidence, carrying out covert surveillance, providing detailed reports of findings, preparing court files, obtaining witness statements, and attending hearings to give evidence as required.