HMRC office in Ipswich's AXA building fights bed bugs

The HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC) office in Brooke Lawrance House on Civic Drive has undergone chemical treatments and steam cleans to get rid of the bugs, but it has not resolved the issue that appeared at the office in the summer of 2022. 

A sniffer dog visits the office fortnightly and searches for the insects.  

The HMRC office, which employs more than 500 members of staff, rents out two and a half floors of the town centre’s AXA building. 

HMRC office in Brooke Lawrance House has been fighting with bed bugs for over a year, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Martyn Mellis, PCS Union Branch Secretary, said: “The problem appeared over a year ago. 

“Since then, they've tried to fumigate the place, but that hasn't worked.

"Once a fortnight we get a sniffer dog around to sniff out the bed bugs. Everybody hopes that the dog doesn’t stop at their desk. 

“Some people have been going in every day, but some have been working from home because they are really worried about catching a bed bug and taking it home. 

“If you are caring for an elderly relative or have children at home, the last thing you want is to bring bed bugs from work. 

Bed bugs, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“They can have a serious impact on those with a low immune system. 

“This issue has a massive emotional and physical impact on people working there.” 

HMRC says it became aware of the issue in the summer of 2023 and has been following expert advice to manage the issue.

Mr Mellis added: “We want to know why HMRC is demanding the employees go into an office with known bed bugs.” 

HMRC office in Brooke Lawrance House has been fighting with bed bugs for over a year, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

An HMRC spokesperson responded that the health and safety of employees is their “top priority”. 

All HMRC’s Ipswich-based employees have free of charge home testing available to them.