Police arrest two in affordable housing corruption probe in Barking and Dagenham

Two people were arrested in connection with a suspected corruption scheme involving hundreds of affordable homes allocated for cash in Barking and Dagenham. Police believe council staff took bribes to bypass waiting lists, with social media used to advertise the fraudulent service. Evidence suggests hundreds of homes were involved. The investigation follows months of intelligence gathering, and the council's counter-corruption team is assisting. Long waiting lists for affordable housing are a significant issue across England.