FIVE Wirral people have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud following a police crackdown on “crash for cash” scams.

Merseyside Police carried out raids at addresses in Birkenhead, Prenton and Wallasey last Monday in relation with several “staged” collisions, including one in Wallasey last March.

Those charged are 38-year-old Lisa Dos Santos, of Craven Street, Birkenhead; 59-year-old Maria Jacob of Harthill Mews, Prenton; 39-year-old Maria Jacob,of Hartington Ave, Birkenhead; 28-year-old Craig Lynch, of Ford Road, Wirral and 41-year-old Michael Maguire, of Hoblyn Road, Prenton.

All five have been bailed to appear at Wirral Magistrates Court on Friday, September 12.

Detective Constable Chris O’Connor, said: “The arrests are part of ongoing investigations involving road traffic collisions that are believed to have been staged. Not only are incidents of this nature dangerous they can affect each and every road user by impacting on victims and insurance premiums.

“We work closely with partner agencies, including the Insurance Fraud Bureau, to identify those responsible for these incidents and bring them to justice."

“I would like to reassure the community we treat these types of incidents extremely seriously and any information provided will be thoroughly investigated by officers.”

Anyone with any information about fraud should either call Merseyside Police on the 101 number, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or the Insurance Fraud Bureau on 0800 422 0421.