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.”