Four men arrested amid fraud investigation at Winchester testing centre
Allegations of fraudulent test-passing at Winchester site
Police have made four arrests in connection to alleged fraudulent activity at a testing centre in Winchester.
The investigation, led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit, followed a referral from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
The suspected activity took place at an independent testing centre on Southgate Street.
These centres facilitate online exams for construction industry qualifications, overseen by CITB.
Officers executed warrants in Winchester and Southampton on 15th February after receiving reports that the Winchester test centre was potentially accepting payments to fraudulently assist in passing CITB health and safety tests.
Arrest details
During the operation, authorities seized electronics and cash and arrested four men:
A 47-year-old from Southampton, on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and possessing criminal property, remains in custody.
A 25-year-old from Birmingham, a 46-year-old from Swindon, and a 53-year-old from West Bromwich were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.
All have been released on bail until 15th May while further inquiries are conducted.
Ensuring safety in construction
Detective Inspector Jamie Johnson highlighted the dangers of such fraud, explaining "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."
Chris Simpson, CITB’s Head of Standard Setting Body, emphasized the importance of robust testing, saying "These arrests are part of our dedication to delivering a competent workforce and demonstrate our commitment to stamping out any kind of cheating."
Marcus Mills, CSCS Fraud Prevention Manager, stressed the risks posed by unqualified workers, noting "Unqualified workers and those without the right health and safety training can put people at risk on site."
Construction employers are encouraged to utilise CITB card checker and CSCS Smart Check to verify the legitimacy of qualifications and report any concerns via [email protected] .