Rugby robbery man 'lied to claim loan'

A man from Warwickshire lied to officers that he had been mugged to get a government crisis loan, police said.



The 21-year-old man, from Rugby, said he was robbed by three men, including one carrying a knife, in Long Lawford on Sunday.

A force spokeswoman said police inquiries soon discovered there was no truth in the man's claims.

The man admitted he lied to get an emergency loan and received a caution for wasting police time.

Insp Dale Pritchard, of Warwickshire Police, said: "We treat anyone making false crime reports very seriously.

"Investigating a false report diverts officers from investigating genuine crimes."

The Department for Work and Pensions is able to give interest-free loans to help after an emergency or as a consequence of a disaster.