Scotland Yard’s Fraud Squad have been called in by Hounslow Council following concerns arising from an internal investigation thought to involve the housing services division.

Three council employees and two others were arrested at their homes and were all taken to a west London police station where they were bailed pending further enquiries.

The officers have been named as the head of Housing Services, Prakash Auchombit and his coolleagues Briginder Gobin Puri and Barbara Summers. The allegations are believed to involve collusion between council officers and landlords to illegally claim housing benefit.

An official spokesmen for the council stated "Following concerns arising from an internal investigation, Hounslow Council has called in the police. As a result, they are now carrying out investigations, and the council is co-operating fully with them.”