A branch of the RSPCA is being investigated by the police over suspected fraud involving hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Two men have been arrested and an audit is currently ongoing at the charity’s London South East branch which is based in West Norwood.

Former trustee Ivan House, told The Guardian that the fraud could be as much as £450,000.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said: “Police received an allegation of fraud on 3 September 2018 relating to a charity based in Norwood, south-east London.

“On 12 September two men – aged 44 and 55 – were arrested on suspicion of fraud. Both have been released under investigation. Enquiries continue by officers from the south area command unit.”

The RSPCA has faced a string of embarrassing incidents in recent years.

Last July the Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone Branch was criticised by The Charity Commission for allowing the chairwoman’s daughter to live in and manage a £700,000 cattery, two doors down from her mother.

The commission also issued a warning to the RSPCA last year over mismanagement relating to a payout to its former chief executive.

Peter Ralphs, the former chairman of the Shropshire branch was also jailed for three years in January after stealing £184,000.