Bolton is among the worst places in the UK for "staged" road accidents.

Fraudsters stage accidents by performing unexpected, unnecessary and dangerous emergency stops which cause innocent drivers to crash into them.

Then they make claims to the innocent motorist's insurer, often including accounts of fictitious injuries from the fraudsters.

New figures from the Government's Insurance Fraud Bureau reveal there have been almost 1,000 "staged" incidents on Bolton's roads since 1999.

Only Blackburn, Bradford, Birmingham and Oldham, have worse records.

Richard Davies, the bureau's deputy director, said: "This is more than just a money issue, although it is costing the insurance industry £4 million a week. This type of fraud is also putting people's lives in danger.

"If you have people prepared to deliberately cause crashes, it is very worrying, and I'm sure the people of Bolton would be worried as well.

"It is certainly the form of fraud that is causing the most concern in the industry, because it puts people in danger.

"We have called for the ring-fencing of police resources to investigate crash for cash' schemes, as well as the introduction of formal police targets for the investigation of this type of fraud."

Figures show that Bolton is in fifth place with a estimated 986 staged or induced motor accidents. The worst area is Blackburn with 1,710 incidents.

For each successful claim, the criminals can net up to £30,000. Fraudulent insurance claims, meanwhile, are adding up to five per cent to insurance premiums.

The bureau, which is made up of representatives from across the insurance industry including insurers, brokers and their professional bodies, estimates that since 1999, more than 22,500 fraudulent staged and induced motor accidents have taken place nationally.

Graham Webster, managing director of ABA Insurance brokers in Salop Street, Bolton, said: "This type of crime has a substantial effect on premiums, and there is already evidence that 2007 will see an increase in the cost of insurance for most drivers."

Damian Ward, a partner at Keoghs solicitors, Horwich, said: "The perception of this being a victimless crime is changing. The Fraud Bill, which is expected to become law later this year or early next, will make it much easier for the police to put together a case against these types of criminal gangs, and easier for the courts to convict, with punishments ranging from fines to imprisonment, as well as seizure of assets.

"Insurers will also be able to pursue a civil case, which could see them awarded exemplary damages."

Help guide for drivers

There are ways that motorists can protect themselves from the crash for cash' fraudsters and the Insurance Fraud Bureau offers the following advice if you are involved in an accident and are suspicious of the circumstances:

  • Record as much detail as possible at the scene, for example full names, addresses and dates of birth of the claimants.
  • If possible use a camera or mobile phone to take photographs of the car, drivers, passengers and accident situation from every angle.
  • Get full names and addresses of any witnesses at the scene.
  • Make sure you tell your insurer in the first instance and highlight your concerns. If you have specific information on who might be involved call the bureau's free confidential helpline on 0800 328 2550.