Corruption Crackdown: Two Arrested in Barking and Dagenham Council Housing Fraud Probe | News | london-news-net.preview-domain.com

Corruption Crackdown: Two Arrested in Barking and Dagenham Council Housing Fraud Probe

September 5, 2025

Corruption Crackdown: Two Arrested in Barking and Dagenham Council Housing Fraud Probe

The City of London Police has apprehended two individuals in connection with alleged corruption within the housing department of Barking and Dagenham Council.

As part of an inquiry into suspected housing fraud related to the council, the force’s domestic corruption unit executed “multiple warrants” in Dagenham, in east London, and Essex.

The investigation is focused on the distribution of several hundred council properties that took place from November 2020 to December 2024.

Following the execution of five warrants on Thursday, both Barking and Dagenham Council and its fully-owned housing entity, BD Reside, announced their cooperation with police in relation to the suspected housing fraud case.

The City of London Police stated: “Potential tenants responded to social media advertisements and received instructions on how to secure affordable housing in the Barking and Dagenham areas.”

The police reported that prospective tenants “paid fraudsters ‘finder’s fees’ and excessive rents.”

Individuals who believe they may have been affected are encouraged to come forward and fill out a questionnaire as part of the investigation.

Dominic Twomey, leader of the council and Labour councillor, remarked: “We now await further developments as the investigation progresses, but I urge anyone who possesses any information that could be beneficial—regardless of how minor or insignificant it may appear—to step forward.”

previous post

Peskov Hints at Possible Visit of Putin to the U.S. for 2026 World Cup

Related posts

Two private schools in south London to close Текст: Two private schools in south London will close after 75 years due to declining pupil numbers and Labours introduction ofVAT on school fees. Inspired Learning Group (ILG), which runs Park Hill Preparatory School and Nursery, in Kingston, and Bishop Challoner School in Bromley, will close at the end of the academic year. Three High Courtjudges dismissed a legal challengeover the governments policy. Lawyers for the families and private schools argued it was discriminatory. Barristers for the Chancellor, His Majestys Revenue and Customs and the Department for Education said it was to raise standards for state school children by making private school parents pay their fair share. According to theLocal Democracy Reporting Service(LDRS), the board of trustees at Bishop Challoner confirmed on Thursday the Catholic independent school for children aged three to 18 would close on 4 July. The school, which opened in 1950, stated it had been an incredibly difficult decision to close but it had to be made due to the increasingly challenging environment for schools. Amanda, whose 18-year-old son Barney is in Year 13 at Bishop Challoner, told BBC London the news was heartbreaking and came as a complete shock. I feel very much aware of this huge community of people who are being affected: members of staff, support staff, students and parents, she said. She added not all independent schools were full of wealthy families, and this was a small, caring school. Barney is neurodiverse and Amanda said: We chose the school because of its small, community-feel, very calm environment. Its given Barney a social environment that feels safe. I feel very lucky that my son is going to university in September but I cant imagine how parents are feeling with their children in the middle of their GCSEs or A-levels. The schools Chair of Trustees Patricia Colling said: This is a very difficult time for our parents, pupils and staff. We are saddened that, despite our best efforts, the school has to close. LDRS said ILG was offering parents of pupils at Park Hill the option to move to its sister school Westbury House School, in New Malden, from September, which is a 12-minute drive away. Park Hill will be converted into a dedicated full-time nursery, offering 51 weeks of provision for children aged between three months and four years old. ILG said closing the preparatory school, which opened in 1949, and moving its pupils to Westbury House would protect both education settings for the future. Sarah Nunn, Park Hills head teacher, said in a message on the schools website the move would provide pupils with greater opportunities for social development, a wider friendship network and an expanded extracurricular programme – including sport, music and drama. An ILG spokesperson said: The benefit of being in a private group is that we can protect both settings, and ensure the continuity and quality of education for our children, who will always remain our top priority. Additional reporting by Olivia Demetriades, BBC London

rimmaruslan98@gmail.com June 13, 2025

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More