UK insurers detected 130,000 fraudulent claims last year, according to Association of British Insurers (ABI) statistics.

This was equivalent to 2500 per week, up 6% on the previous year.

However, the value of the fraud – £1.3 billion ($2.3 billion) – was down 3% compared with 2014.

Dishonest “slip and trip” liability claims soared 36% to 26,900 detections, reflecting increased industry focus on this area.

Motor claims remained the most common fraud at 70,000 detections, down slightly on the previous year.

ABI Director of General Insurance Policy James Dalton says there will be “no let-up” in the industry’s commitment to protect honest consumers.

“The chances of getting caught have never been greater and the consequences, such as a prison sentence and difficulty in getting future insurance and other financial products, have never been more severe and long-lasting,” he said.