Sara Hawthorn 07 August 2014

Arrests made in £18m council fraud investigation

Four men have been arrested and bailed following an investigation into £18m fraud at Brighton and Hove Housing Department.

Arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and corruption, the four men were bailed until October after allegations of improper awarding of council contracts. The contracts were worth more than £18m over the course of ten years, and were given to a property management company providing the homeless with temporary accommodation.

The arrests were made at addresses across Sussex, Essex and London with computer equipment and documents seized for examination. A business address in Queens Road Brighton and an address in Holland Road, Hove were also searched.

Detective Sergeant Sally Smith said: 'The investigation continues. We have already spoken to a number of witnesses, many of whom either work for or have worked for the Council, and we would still like to speak to anyone else who believes they have information that might assist the enquiry. If you feel you can help in any way, please contact us via 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Parade.'

None of the men arrested are employed at Brighton and Hove City Council.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Support Services Officer Bereavement

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 p.a. pro rata (Grade 5)
We are looking to appoint a Support Services Officer – Bereavement to join our Business Support team, providing a vital, customer-focused service to r Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Cleaner

Durham County Council
£24,796 (Pro Rata)
10.5 hours per week - Either 6.00am-8.06am or 3
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Recovery Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 - £30,024 – £33,699 per annum (Pay award pending).
Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing hoarding and self-neglect behaviours?   As an Agile Recovery Worker within o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Research and Insight Officer

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pro rata) pay award pending
Temporary 15 hour post for 6 months   WHAT IS INVOLVED? The Research and Insight officer will play a key story telling and sense making role across th Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Principal Public Protection Officer

Middlesbrough Council
£45,091 - £50,269
We have an exciting role on offer as a Principal Public Protection Officer in our new Empty Properties team in the Public Protection service. Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: Middlesbrough Council
Linkedin Banner