Following on from our statement of 4 September, four individuals in Dagenham and Essex have now been arrested as part of Operation Chandrila.
The suspected housing fraud is not related to the allocation of council housing or the council’s housing allocations department. It relates solely to the allocation of BD Reside properties. BD Reside is a council owned housing company which works in partnership with the council in Barking and Dagenham. Reside provides a range of shared ownership and properties to rent at market and discounted market rent. It does not own or manage any council homes.
This has followed a period of intelligence gathering led by the council’s Counter Fraud Team. Police were then contacted and asked to provide guidance and advice, ultimately leading to them opening a criminal investigation into the concerns the council had shared with them.
Further information cannot be released while the investigation is ongoing, but City of London Police, the council and BD Reside are encouraging anyone who might have information relating to Operation Chandrila to confidentially report it directly to the police. More information about how to submit information that could help the case can be found at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4801020125R39-PO1.
The investigation is just one part of the council’s commitment to protecting tax-payers. Leader of the Council, Cllr Dominic Twomey, said: “The fact we have openly publicised this matter as much as we can, and contacted the City of London Police for guidance and support, shows our commitment to being open and transparent when serious concerns are found. We want this investigation to send a clear message that we simply won’t tolerate illegal activity.
“Some of the comments I’ve seen from the public are calling for those involved to be named, which we obviously can’t do while the investigation is live. I’m hopeful that we’ll get the right result and will be able to talk more about the details once the case has concluded.
“We’re very grateful to the City of London Police for their strong partnership with the council and BD Reside throughout this process. As the investigation continues, I’d urge anyone who might have even the smallest piece of information to come forward – it could make all the difference.”