Man charged with fraud offences related to cladding safety forms

A man has been charged with fraud as part of a 19-month investigation into fraudulently signed building cladding safety forms.

EWS1 forms were introduced following the Grenfell disaster so that residents could get their building’s cladding assessed for potential fire risk.

The forms require an appropriate professional to confirm the checks have been completed, but in November 2020 residents of high-rise apartment buildings reported a total of 88 forms had been signed off by a person who was not authorised to sign them.

The reports, covering the period between 23 June and 12 November 2020, were referred to Merseyside Police by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), and affected residents in locations including South Wales and London.

Without valid EWS1 forms, the residents were unable to evidence the limited risk to their properties, which affected their ability to get mortgages. 

The correct checks have since been completed in each case and have received the appropriate authorisation.

Thomas Michael Clarke, 33 years, of Knowsley Lane, Prescot has been charged with fraud by false representation. 

He is due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on 3 August 2022.