A POLICE community support officer has been exposed as a benefits cheat.

Marty Arrow-Cumbe receiv-ed hundreds of pounds in housing benefit from the Vale of White Horse District Council, despite working full time for Thames Valley Police.

The 19-year-old admitted in court claiming £881 between March 31 last year – the day he began work as a Pcso in Didcot – and June 12, 2009.

Arrow-Cumbe, formerly of The Vineyard, Abingdon, resigned after being confronted with evidence by the council’s benefit fraud team in May.

He was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work in the community, by Didcot magistrates on Wednesday after admitting making a false statement to obtain payment.

Arrow-Cumbe was also told to repay the money and pay £200 costs.

Paul Howden, revenues and benefits manage at the council, said: “This man claimed he was serving the community when in reality he was taking from it.

“It’s quite apt his punishment now requires him to serve the community for free.”

Police spokesman Victoria Brandon said Arrow-Cumber resigned from the force on May 21 this year and no internal discipline procedures had occurred.

He was caught out in May by the Audit Commission’s National Fraud Initiative (NFI), which found data revealing Arrow-Cumbe’s income had significantly increased and he had left his job at Argos for the police force.

A council spokesman said when interviewed by the benefit fraud squad on June 12 this year Arrow-Cumbe admitted what he had done.

Jerry Patterson, the Vale’s executive member for finance, said: “I am glad Mr Arrow-Cumbe has admitted his guilt and is paying back the money he owes. Police community support officers provide an excellent service, much valued by our communities.

“It is disappointing that Mr Arrow-Cumbe was not so honest when he was a serving Pcso.”

Arrow-Cumbe, now living in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, lived at the Vale Housing Association-owned address in The Vineyard until August 2008.

He worked on the beat in Didcot for 14 months before he resigned.

Chief Insp Andy Boyd, Vale area commander, said: “I am extremely disappointed in Arrow-Cumbe’s actions. What he did was dishonest and not what Thames Valley Police stands for.

“I would like to stress that this is one individual who made a choice not to disclose his change in situation and as a result no longer works for Thames Valley Police.”

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk