Four Arrested in Winchester Test Centre Fraud Probe Over Construction Safety Exams

Four men have been arrested after police uncovered an alleged fraud scheme at an independent construction testing centre in Winchester.

Officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary carried out two warrants in Winchester and Southampton on Sunday 15 February as part of an investigation into suspected fraudulent activity at a test centre on Southgate Street.

The force’s Economic Crime Unit launched its investigation following a referral from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), which regulates Internet Test Centres (ITCs) across the country. ITCs allow candidates to sit online exams required to gain qualifications needed to work in the construction industry.

The CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) test, or an approved alternative, alongside a relevant trade qualification, is required to obtain a CSCS card. CSCS cards demonstrate that workers on UK construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for their roles.

Police received information that the Winchester-based independent test centre had allegedly been accepting payment to help candidates fraudulently pass exams, enabling them to enter the construction industry without proper health and safety training.

During the execution of the warrants, officers seized electronics and cash.

A 47-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property. He remains in police custody at this time.

A 25-year-old man from Birmingham, a 46-year-old man from Swindon and a 53-year-old man from West Bromwich were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. They have since been released on bail until 15 May while enquiries continue.

Detective Inspector Jamie Johnson, Head of the Economic Crime Unit, said: “Helping people fraudulently pass these tests puts not only the subject themselves, but also those working around them, at serious risk of harm, as they are entering building sites without proper training and understanding of how to carry out work safely.

“To be knowingly involved in and profiting off of an operation that could, in the worse case scenario, cause serious injury or even death through malpractice is something that we take incredibly seriously, and we are working alongside the Construction Industry Training Board to ensure anyone involved in this criminal activity is brought to justice.”

Chris Simpson, Head of CITB’s Standard Setting Body, said: “It’s vital that we ensure the construction workforce is well-trained and competent, and this means ensuring our testing methods are robust and everyone is completing tests to the standard expected.

“These arrests are part of our dedication to delivering a competent workforce and demonstrate our commitment to stamping out any kind of cheating or deception affecting our products and services.

“Falsifying health and safety qualifications means that the holder has not demonstrated the professional competence and awareness of health and safety legislation that is required for them to work safely in the construction industry.

“We are committed to ensuring that colleagues and members of the public are kept safe, with an industry that they can rely on. CITB will be working with our colleagues at CSCS to ensure that fraudulent tests are revoked and that any CSCS cards that have been obtained fraudulently are also withdrawn.”

Marcus Mills, CSCS Fraud Prevention Manager, said: “We welcome these arrests, as unqualified workers and those without the right health and safety training can put people at risk on site and endanger the wider public.

“CSCS works closely with Awarding Organisations, CITB, HMRC, the Police, Trading Standards and other regulators to verify qualifications, investigate malpractice at training centres, and take action against anyone trying to deceive the industry.

“While CSCS does not own or operate tests or test centres, where we are alerted to fraud we will cancel cards retrospectively. We urge employers and principal contractors to check cards regularly using CSCS Smart Check, which helps identify counterfeit and revoked cards.”

Construction employers can use services provided by awarding organisations and card schemes, including CITB’s card checker and CSCS Smart Check, to verify the legitimacy of cards, certificates and qualifications.

Concerns can also be reported confidentially via email to report.it@citb.co.uk.