Bexley Council has officially referred a fraudulent letter to the Metropolitan Police following its distribution to residents across South East London. The document, which falsely claimed to be an official “Neighbourhood Notice” regarding the housing of asylum seekers, has been condemned by local authorities as a malicious attempt to incite fear and spread misinformation within the community.
Details of the Fraudulent Correspondence
The hoax letter, dated August 24, 2026, was designed to appear authentic, featuring the Bexley Council logo and the name of a legitimate senior housing official. It claimed that the local authority was in the process of converting residential properties to accommodate “guests” under government asylum arrangements. The correspondence specifically mentioned that the individuals being housed would be men aged between 19 and 40 years old.
Beyond the false claims of new residential occupancy, the letter included a series of alarming and highly specific instructions for local residents. It advised parents to keep their daughters indoors where possible and suggested that women should “dress appropriately” by wearing long skirts or trousers and covering their shoulders to avoid “tempting” the newcomers. Furthermore, the letter claimed that residents should consider rehoming their pets, falsely asserting that dogs are offensive to certain religious groups. Other instructions included securing garden tools, locking windows, and ensuring vehicles remained alarmed at all times.
Official Response and Police Investigation
Bexley Council acted swiftly to debunk the letter, issuing a public statement to clarify that the document did not originate from any of its departments. The council expressed significant concern over the use of its branding to disseminate such inflammatory content. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers have now launched a malicious communications investigation into the matter. The police are working closely with the council and local residents to trace the source of the letters and prevent further spread of the hoax.
Louie French, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Old Bexley and Sidcup, strongly condemned the distribution of the letters. He described the incident as a calculated effort to “scare” the local population through the use of fabricated information. Mr French emphasised the importance of residents questioning the authenticity of such communications, particularly when they contain sensationalist or alarming claims that seem out of character for local government notices.
Impact on the Bexley Community
The distribution of the fake letter caused immediate concern among residents, with some reporting that the content led to “panic and hysteria” in the borough. Local councillors, including Chis Purfield, have joined the call for residents to remain vigilant and avoid sharing the misinformation online. Councillor Purfield described the letter as a “hoax to cause upset” and urged the public not to entertain the “scaremongering” tactics of those behind the document.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of viral misinformation in London. While the letter was physically posted to some homes, it gained significant traction after images and videos of the document were shared across social media platforms. Some residents initially struggled to verify the letter’s authenticity, with one individual reporting that an initial inquiry to the council resulted in conflicting information before the hoax was fully confirmed. The council has since established a dedicated contact point for anyone who has received the letter, asking them to report it to the Community Safety team.
Guidance for Residents
Authorities have reminded the public that official council communications regarding housing or major community changes typically follow established formal procedures and are usually available for verification on the official Bexley Council website. Residents are encouraged to check the council’s official social media channels or contact their local representatives directly if they receive suspicious correspondence. The Metropolitan Police investigation remains ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this stage. Anyone with information regarding the origin of the letters is encouraged to come forward to assist with the inquiry.
