A civil servant with Amsterdam city council has been arrested in connection with an investigation into explosions outside private homes and business premises.

The 46-year-old is alleged to have supplied addresses on request by searching the city’s IT system over an extended period. A number of explosions have since taken place at those locations, the public prosecution department said on Monday.

The man had access to the council’s official address registration system as part of his job.

Prosecutors suspect he passed on information to criminals in exchange for money and was aware that the addresses would be used in serious crimes.

He is due to appear in court on Thursday for a remand hearing.