Category: England

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Five teenage boys charged following theft of mobile phones

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Five teenage boys have been charged with robbery following the theft of a large number of mobile phones.

Mycah Omo-Idahosa, 18 (26.10.06), of Lothian Rd, Lambeth, will appear in custody at Willesden Magistrates’ Court today, Tuesday, 7 January.

Two 15-year-old boys from Lambeth, a 14-year-old boy from Croydon and a 16-year-old boy from Cambridge have also been charged with robbery and will appear at the same court today.

Police were called at around 14:35hrs on Sunday, 5 January to reports a group had entered a shop in Brent Cross Shopping Centre before stealing around 50 mobile phones.

Officers attended and swiftly made arrests, whilst also recovering the majority of the phones.

Five teenagers were charged as above.

One other 15-year-old boy arrested has been bailed while enquiries continue.

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Police Race Action Plan agrees focus for the new year

Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

It comes after chief constables voted last month to fund a national team to drive delivery of the Police Race Action Plan (PRAP) for a further 12 months.

Police chiefs have agreed the focus of the Police Race Action Plan team for next year.

It comes after chief constables voted last month to fund a national team to drive delivery of the Police Race Action Plan (PRAP) for a further 12 months.

The PRAP is the biggest coordinated effort ever across every police force in England and Wales to improve trust and confidence in policing among Black communities.

Every Chief Constable has signed up to support the plan and achieve its objectives, the first time there has been such a coordinated response across policing to making the vital improvements envisaged under the plan.

Established in 2020, with the plan published two years later, it was intended that the national team would drive delivery of the programme for four years, but the national team has been extended for another year following a decision by Chief Constables Council, which represents UK police chiefs.

In 2025 the programme will be focusing on giving police forces the tools and support they need to embed anti-racist policy and practice across policing.  Priorities for the team in 2025/2026 are:

  • Supporting police forces to implement action and policy developed by the programme team, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing to deliver an anti-racist police service, such as recording the ethnicity of those subject to traffic stops.
  • Reviewing and prioritising actions and projects under the programme and making plans to transition activity led by the programme into the NPCC, College of Policing or police forces.
  • Finalising long term processes for measuring, overseeing and scrutinising the performance and impact of the plan and policing’s progress towards anti-racism over time.  This includes a proposed maturity matrix that will enable police forces to assess and track their progress.
  • The central team will be working with stakeholders over the coming months to test, refine and begin to implement these processes. Engagement is being planned with police forces, the plan’s Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board (ISOB), the National Black Police Association (NBPA) and the Home Office, as well as civil society and community groups. 
  • Ensuring police forces, partners and the public understand what has been delivered so far and what to expect from policing in the future. Continuing to engage with police forces and leading civil society groups working in criminal justice and anti-racism will be critical to this.
  • Sharing knowledge and good practice identified in local forces across England and Wales.

These priorities reflect and address recommendations from the ISOB’s most recent annual report.

The plan’s senior team has recently held positive discussions with the Policing Minister and senior government officials, as well as leading civil society groups. These discussions around joint working and shaping the future direction of the plan will continue in the coming months.

November also saw the NBPA vote to re-engage with the plan, lifting a suspension of support that had been in place since June.

T/Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari, programme director for the PRAP, said: “Tireless work by our central team and invaluable insight from the partners we work with has helped deliver some major strides forward over recent months.

“I am under no illusion about the scale of the challenge that still exists to build the trust and confidence of our Black communities in policing.

“Our mission over the next year is to give policing the tools it needs to deliver the plan’s long-term vision to build an anti-racist police service.”

This is centred on a maturity matrix assessment across key areas of delivery for an anti-racist police service, underpinned by key performance measures.

Over the coming months the plan’s central team will continue its work with police forces, partners such as ISOB, the NBPA and the Home Office, as well as civil society and community groups, to finalise this assessment, including how communities will be involved in it.

Abimbola Johnson, chair of the ISOB, said: “The extension of the Police Race Action Plan (“PRAP”) has proven necessary after slow progress and an initial lack of traction in delivery against policing’s anti-racism goal. PRAP was announced four-and-a-half years ago and sadly many community members, internal and external to policing, continue to report that policing does not feel different in its impact upon them; in some cases, that their experiences have worsened. 

“In the last few years, we have seen pockets of good work, commitment and progress. These have primarily been driven by hardworking individuals and have landed best where they have received proper backing and support from local leadership. We have also been frustrated by delays in achieving simple and logical steps to get work underway. 

“Sustained focus and resources are critical to achieving PRAP’s vision of an anti-racist police service. Progress requires commitment and delivery by the central team but also adoption of responsibility and prioritisation by local police forces, parallel commitment by statutory accountability organisations like HMICFRS and the IOPC, and the involvement of central government. Input from communities and anti-racism experts must be utilised appropriately to give this work the legitimacy it requires. 

“We are encouraged that the 2025/26 priorities reflect key recommendations from our recent report, including embedding anti-racist policies, developing a maturity matrix to measure progress, and transitioning activities into long-term structures. We have started to see work that reflects proper commitment to those recommendations.

“This year, our scrutiny work will be focussing on the legacy of this plan. Policing needs to demonstrate that anti-racism commitment is a permanent focus that will outlive the central team’s final year: joined up working, structural reform and cultural changes.”

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UPDATED: Man charged with assisting escaped prisoner Daniel Khalife

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with assisting Daniel Khalife after he escaped from prison.

Imran Chowdhury 25 (01.01.2000) of Chingford, allegedly assisted Khalife after he escaped from HMP Wandsworth in September 2023.

Chowdhury was arrested in January 2024 and was charged in December via postal requisition, with one count of assisting an escaped prisoner, contrary to Section 22(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1961.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 January.

No further action was taken against a 25-year-old woman who was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in February 2024.

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Man charged with assisting escaped prisoner Daniel Khalife

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with assisting Daniel Khalife after he escaped from prison.

Imran Chowdury 25 (01.01.2000) of Chingford, allegedly assisted Khalife after he escaped from HMP Wandsworth in September 2023.

Chowdury was arrested in January 2024 and was charged in December via postal requisition, with one count of assisting an escaped prisoner, contrary to Section 22(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1961.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 January.

No further action was taken against a 25-year-old woman who was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in February 2024.

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Reward offered as part of investigation into death of Jonah Ho-Shue in Haringey

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are continuing to appeal for information, one year on from the death of 24-year-old Jonah Ho-Shue in Haringey.

Officers were called to Albert Road, N4 at 22:43hrs on Thursday, 4 January 2024 following reports of a serious assault.

The victim, 24-year-old Jonah Ho-Shue, sadly died at the scene after sustaining a stab wound to his arm.

An investigation within the Met’s Specialist Crime Command remains ongoing. Since the investigation was launched, five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with Jonah’s death. Three men, aged 23, 24 and 25, and two women, aged 25 and 29, remain under investigation and one man has since been released without further action.

Investigating officers are offering a reward of up to £20,000 for any information which leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person responsible.

In a recent appeal for information, Jonah’s family said:

“It’s hard for me and my family and his friends to talk about Jonah in the past tense. He should be here, we should be talking about him in the present.

“He was a loving brother, son, cousin, uncle and a grandson and our hearts are broken. I wouldn’t want anybody to go through what we’ve been through as a family.

“I’m appealing for anybody who has information, even if you think it’s small, please come forward, please ease my family’s pain by doing the right thing.”

Detective Inspector Emma Sharp from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said:

“We are continuing to work hard to find those responsible for Jonah’s death.

“Jonah’s family have faced the past year without the answers they deserve. There are people amongst our communities who know what happened to Jonah and now is the time to come forward.

“We understand that those with information may be concerned, but please, contact us to help give Jonah’s family the justice they deserve.”

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3715 or via 101 quoting Operation Bardcole.

To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Appeal for witnesses to fatal collision in Brixton

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are asking for witnesses to come forward following a fatal collision in Brixton.

Police were called at 18:49hrs on Tuesday, 1 October 2024 following reports of a collision involving a tow truck and a pedestrian.

Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended the scene on Brixton Road near the junction with Handforth Road, SW9.

The pedestrian was first hit by the tow truck, which did not stop, then struck by a car. The driver of the car stopped at the scene.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the pedestrian, who has been named as Safia Ali, a woman in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her next of kin were informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

One man, who was arrested for failing to stop at the scene of an accident and causing death by dangerous driving, has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Any witnesses or anyone with information, such as dash cam footage, which may help is asked to call police 101, reference CAD 6064/01Oct24 or call the witness number on 020 8285 1574.

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Met officers are supporting the family of a British national killed in New Orleans

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Counter Terrorism Policing, through officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, are supporting the family of a UK national killed in the New Orleans terrorist attack.

He has been named as Edward Pettifer, aged 31, of Chelsea, London.

Family Liaison Officers are providing specialist support and will guide the family through the repatriation and coronial processes, working with a range of international and Government partners.

The family of Edward Pettifer have issued the following statement: “The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed‘s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many.

“We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack. We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you.”

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Officer pleads guilty to causing death by careless driving

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A serving police officer has admitted at a court hearing to causing the death of a moped rider due to careless driving.

PC Ian Brotherton, attached to the North Area Command Unit, was driving a marked police van responding to an emergency call when he collided with a moped being ridden by 26-year-old Cristopher de Carvalho Guedes in Enfield on 12 October 2023.

At a hearing held at the Old Bailey on Friday, 3 January, PC Brotheron pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. He will be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, 27 February.

PC Brotherton was disqualified from driving on an interim basis.

This followed an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, responsible for policing in Enfield and Haringey, said: “My thoughts and sympathy remain with the family and friends of Cristopher de Carvalho Guedes at this enormously difficult time. They have lost a loved one due to the careless driving of one of our officers and, while the judicial process has now concluded and PC Brotherton has admitted his guilt, I know there is little I can say that will alleviate the pain they will be suffering.

“Police drivers are trained to the highest standards and while they have certain exemptions when driving police vehicles on public roads, they know they are accountable should their actions fall below these standards.

“In this case, an independent investigation conducted by the IOPC, which we fully supported, has gathered all the evidence from that day and PC Brotherton has admitted to causing Mr Guedes’ death due to his careless driving.

“While he has shown remorse for his actions, it is right that he has been held to account for his actions.”

The incident happened at around 15:00hrs on 12 October 2023 as PC Brotherton was responding to an emergency call. He was driving a van using blue lights and sirens when the collision occurred at the junction of Southbury Road with Baird Road.

The van stopped at the scene and officers provided first aid before Mr Guedes was taken to hospital for treatment, where he sadly died.

A referral was made to the IOPC and PC Brotherton was placed on restricted duties while an independent investigation into the incident was carried out.

Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, PC Brotherton will face a misconduct hearing.

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Man dies following Christmas Day collision in Shaftesbury Avenue

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man who was injured following a road traffic collision in central London on Christmas Day has died.

The man, named as 25-year-old Aidan Chapman, sadly died from his injuries in hospital on New Year’s Eve.

His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

The Met’s Specialist Crime Command is now leading the investigation and Aidan’s death is being treated as a homicide.

Aidan’s parents said in a statement: “The loss of our beautiful son is a parent’s worst nightmare, we are utterly devastated with the loss of Aidan, he enriched everyone’s lives. He was a loving, kind, funny soul and the world is a darker place without him. We, his parents, have lost the best part of ourselves.”

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family at this difficult time. My team are continuing to conduct enquiries to establish all the facts surrounding the circumstances, however it has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related.

“We would appeal to anyone who holds any CCTV or dash cam or mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward as well as anyone else who might have had contact with the suspect that evening.”

Police were called at 00:45hrs on Wednesday, 25 December following reports of a road traffic collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road in Shaftesbury Avenue, W1.

A 30-year-old man appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 27 December charged with four counts of attempted murder, causing serious injury by driving whilst disqualified, driving a motor vehicle dangerously and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, 24 January.

The charges will be reviewed by the court following the death of Aidan Chapman.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC quoting CAD 233/25DEC. Information, photos and footage can also be uploaded to Public Portal.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org

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Man charged following collisions in Primrose Hill

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man who was arrested after pedestrians were struck by a vehicle in Primrose Hill in the early hours of Wednesday morning has been charged.

Daniel Sterling, 40 (07.07.1984) of Well Walk, Camden was charged on the morning of Thursday, 2 January with the following offences:

  • Dangerous driving
  • Causing serious injury by dangerous driving
  • Failing to provide a drug test
  • Assault by beating
  • Possession of a knife in a public place
  • A racially aggravated public order offence (Section 4a Public Order Act)

He was remanded to appear in custody at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court later on Thursday morning.