An investigation has been launched into possible misuse of Surrey County Council prepaid credit cards after claims that more than £68,000 was spent by an officer without authorisation.

SCC internal auditors are working with police to investigate allegations referring to fraud, theft and misuse of computers.

The possible misuse of money was revealed by the auditors in the  2017/18 Internal Audit Annual Report and Opinion.

A SCC spokesman said: “The misuse of council prepaid credit cards, which led to £68,800 being spent by an officer without authorisation, is totally unacceptable.

“Our investigations discovered this misuse and the officer was subsequently dismissed. Since then we have improved controls within our systems to prevent a recurrence.

“We are now working with the police to investigate the matter further.”

The council’s audit and governance committee was told on Monday (May 20) about the investigation. It has been referred to the Met because County Hall is in Kingston-upon-Thames, a London borough.