Category: England

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police is ruthlessly prioritising resources and putting more officers on the beat in the busiest parts of London – including the West End – to focus on core policing priorities, protect the public, and tackle areas with high crime.

Despite the Met getting smaller, it is applying more resources and smarter tactics to tackle the biggest priorities.

Up to 80 more officers will join the dedicated West End team to bear down on crimes which Londoners care about the most – including antisocial behaviour, violence against women and girls, shoplifting and phone robbery – as part of the Met’s focus on neighbourhood policing.

The intensified action is part of ongoing work by the Met and Mayor of London to boost local neighbourhood teams, enhance partnership working and put high visibility policing at the heart of fighting crime and rebuilding trust.

The West End will see its policing team grow by over 50 per cent so they can relentlessly target prolific offenders as well as being visible and approachable to protect the public and deter criminals.

Six town centre teams will also be expanded or newly created with 90 additional officers in areas with the highest volumes of thefts and robberies covering Brixton, Kingston, Ealing, Finsbury Park, Southwark, and Spitalfields.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

“The Met is getting smaller but more capable. We have a laser-like focus on ensuring our officers and staff are in roles where they can drive down crime on issues that matter the most to Londoners.

“This is what the public expects of the police, which is why we are putting neighbourhood policing first, tackling the crimes that we know are impacting the public in the busiest areas, and making the capital’s streets safer.

“We’re adding up to 170 additional officers, split between the West End and town centres across London. Thanks to the hard work of our local teams, neighbourhood crime has already fallen by almost a fifth over the last year and moving these officers to the frontline will make sure we are a more visible presence in London.

“While our budget has decreased in real terms, we are using this additional funding from City Hall and Home Office productively to support our mission to take a targeted approach to tackling volume crime and bolster our specialist tactics to disrupt the criminal gangs who fuel anti-social behaviour, robbery and theft.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

“Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe. Thanks to record funding from City Hall, the West End will see a 50 per cent increase in the number of police officers on the beat and an additional 90 police officers working in new or enhanced town centre teams in hotspot areas.

“Despite years of austerity by the previous government, this is the latest example of the Met Police and I prioritising what Londoners want and delivering on our pledge to put high visibility policing at the heart of fighting crime and rebuilding community confidence and trust.

“These new and boosted Safer Neighbourhood Teams will focus on tackling antisocial behaviour, phone robbery and shoplifting in key areas. This fresh targeted action is happening in tandem with enhanced police and partnership work already underway in our high streets and town centres this summer. We will continue to build on the crime reductions already achieved in the capital – with robbery, theft and knife crime down since the start of the financial year – to build a safer London for all.”

Already, the Met has recruited over 300 additional PCSOs for neighbourhood policing teams towards a target of 500, as well as adding over 300 officers from Superintendents to Constables.

This work to focus resource in the right places, builds on enhanced partnership action with local authorities, businesses and communities to tackle crime in London’s busy town centres and high streets, announced earlier this month.

The Met is arresting 1000 more criminals each month and thanks to the hard work of its officers, London’s Violence Reduction Unit, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), local authorities and partners, the first six weeks of this financial year have seen promising reductions in a number of crime types compared to the same period last year.

• Neighbourhood crime down by 15.3 per cent

• Knife crime down by 18.1 per cent

• Residential burglary down by 17.7 per cent

• Theft from the person down by 15.6 per cent

• Personal robbery down by 12.8 per cent

• Shoplifting – solved 163 per cent more cases this year

• In the West End specifically the Met has reduced:

• Personal robbery by 20%

• Violence with injury by 25%

• Violence against a person by 8%

Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance:

“A safer West End is essential to its success. We welcome the Mayor and Met Commissioner’s response to our calls for more policing. With over 200 million visitors a year and a £50 billion contribution to the UK economy, keeping this district secure isn’t optional — it’s vital. We’ll continue working with the Met to protect the West End’s reputation as a world-class destination.”

Dee Corsi, Chief Executive, New West End Company, said:

“We know, first-hand, the incredible work that the Metropolitan Police Service undertakes every day here in the West End to tackle anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, phone robbery and violence against women and girls. But we also know that tackling complex crime challenges is more difficult when resources are squeezed. That’s why today’s announcement, and renewed commitment to the West End, is a critical step forward. We will continue to work in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service, the Mayor of London and other local stakeholders to ensure the West End remains safe and welcoming for all.”

Anthony Hemmerdinger, Managing Director, Boots said:

“Retail theft alongside intimidation and abuse of our team members is unacceptable, so we welcome this additional support from the Mayor and Metropolitan Police to increase resources in some of our busiest central London store locations.

“While we continue to invest significantly in schemes to deter and disrupt crime, including our state-of-the-art CCTV monitoring centre and bodycams for our team members in stores, it is only through close partnership working with Government, Police, and local communities, that we can ensure high streets feel like welcoming and safe spaces for people to work, shop and visit, all the time.”

Against the backdrop of these improvements and increased demand for policing in London, tough choices are still being made across the organisation.

The Met is shrinking overall by 1,700 officers and staff – they have started by moving officers from the dedicated Royal Parks policing team and schools officers into local policing teams. This will ensure officers are part of larger neighbourhood policing teams, policing parks as part of larger teams and ensuring children are safe on their school commute where they are most at risk.

The Met are going further to place officers on the beat, ensuring London is a safer place to live, work and visit. A more visible presence will increase reassurance for the public and create a hostile environment for criminals who will be arrested in greater numbers.

The Met secured additional funding after submitting their draft budget which laid out how they would spend their money in 2025/26. As a result, they are using £32 million of additional funding from City Hall and the Home Office to reduce the total officer and staff reductions in priority areas.

The efficiency savings are due to real-term reductions in public spending on policing and every decision the Met makes is to ensure resources are focussed in the most vital areas and on core-policing priorities.

The funding will also allow specialist police capabilities to be expanded to support neighbourhood policing priorities and improve out outcomes in tackling high-harm offenders and violence against women and girls. This will include:

• Bolstering Flying Squad with over 50 additional officers to support neighbourhood policing as they tackle the organised crime gangs that fuel phone robbery and shoplifting.

• Scaling up our use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) more widely supported by additional officers and staff. Currently LFR is used four times a week across two days, but this will increase up to five days a week, delivering up to 10 deployments a week across London to drive up arrests of wanted offenders.

• The Public Order Crime Team will expand to accommodate the rise in protest-related criminal investigations to ensure frontline officers are freed up to focus on local issues. Demand in this area increased in the last two years.

• Additional resource will be funded to support local policing teams to coordinate work to hunt down dangerous and predatory offenders identified in our V100 and Violence Harm Assessment work.

As well as targeting resource in specific priority areas, the funding has allowed the Met to reduce some of the previously outlined cuts – including providing 17 officers to join neighbourhood policing teams to support the continued policing of Royal Parks as part of our business as usually work and stopping previously proposed reductions to Flying Squad.

The Met is also publishing A New Met for London: Phase 2 – a plan for the next three years, following the success of the first plan to deliver more trust, less crime and high standards.

The new plan focusses on shedding distractions and bureaucracy that divert police away from crime-fighting, allowing our officers and staff to focus on what matters most to the public we serve, making greater use of technologies such as live facial recognition and automation, and providing officers and staff with the tools and equipment they need, to be more effective and more productive.

The Met is asking the public for their views. To share your views complete this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6NCR3LH

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Two teenagers have been convicted of murder and manslaughter in relation to the death of a 15-year-old boy in Woolwich, in an unprovoked attack – the exact motive for the attack remains unclear. A third teenager was acquitted of murder.

Two appeared at the Old Bailey today and the jury returned their verdicts after a six week trial.

Marko Balaz, 19 (20.12.2005) of Sewell Road, SE2, was convicted of manslaughter and a 17-year-old boy was convicted of murder.

Jacob Losiewicz, 18 (22.07.2006) of Church Manorway, SE2, was acquitted of murder on Tuesday, 30 July.

The victim, 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell, was fatally stabbed following a disturbance on Eglington Road, SE18.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: “Daejaun’s murder shocked the local community and will forever impact his grieving family and those who loved him.

“I commend the strength of Daejaun’s family, in particular his mother, throughout this awful ordeal. She has demonstrated exceptional courage and composure throughout this trial and has become an advocate to raise awareness of the dangers of young people carrying knives and the devastation that knife violence causes.”

A murder investigation was launched on Sunday, 22 September 2024 after police were called to reports of the stabbing of a boy on Eglington Road, SE18.

Witnesses called the police at around 18:30hrs to reports of a boy screaming for help and being chased down the street before being attacked with what looked like a machete. Brave members of the public ran to help Daejaun, who was lying on the floor after sustaining multiple stab wounds.

London Ambulance Service and HEMS attended the scene but sadly Daejaun died a short time later in the road where he had been stabbed.

A murder investigation commenced, quickly identifying a car which had been used to bring the defendants to the scene. CCTV footage including doorbell camera footage was identified which showed the teenagers leaving a property to attack Daejaun. The identities of the group were soon established.

Losiewicz was arrested the following day with the distinctive top he was wearing during the murder being recovered on his bedroom floor, but his tracksuit bottoms and sliders were missing. During his interview, Losiewicz denied being involved in Daejaun’s murder and claimed to be a witness who ran from the scene after being scared. He claimed to have been unable to stop the attack.

Balaz was arrested at his home address on 25 September where he denied any involvement, claimed to have been at home during the offence and denied any prior knowledge of Daejaun or his murder. Balaz was, however on an electronically monitored tag which demonstrated he was lying and had travelled to Eglinton Road at the time of the murder. Officers were to later find multiple internet searches on Balaz’s phone around relating to Daejaun’s murder.

The 17-year-old boy was arrested on 27 September. His phone was analysed and messages were found which showed he was worried about spending 20 years in prison after killing someone and joking with friends that his life was “about to take a massive turn”. Losiewicz sliders were found in the 17 year old’s house and Daejaun’s blood was found on them. At trial he admitted to stabbing Daejaun but claimed he did so in self defence, as Daejaun also had a knife.

All three were charged with murder and remanded into custody.

DCI Kate Blackburn added: “We have never fully established why Daejaun was murdered in such a brutal way. I believe it is likely because he did not live in the area and had been exploited into dealing drugs there. It is possible that the defendant’s were linked to an opposing drugs line.

“This group were willing to bring a machete out in broad daylight and use it to kill a 15-year-old boy who, when challenged, threw his knife away and ran in the opposite direction.

“Today’s convictions conclude a lengthy and emotional investigation, and we can expect the two convicted teenagers to spend a considerable time in prison. However, they will still be able to have lives after their incarceration, Daejaun was not given that opportunity.

“I hope that the conviction today provides some sense of justice to Deajuan’s family.”

The pair will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, 6 October.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been sentenced to jail for murdering a father in front of his young child in a barbershop in Leyton.

Josh McKay, 33, was stabbed in the neck by Renai Belle in a targeted attack and died from his injuries at the scene. During the Metropolitan Police investigation, officers discovered a rap video showing Belle threaten Josh before the attack.

Belle, 30 (20.02.95), of Swaythling Close, Edmonton was sentenced to 26 years and 12 months in prison on Wednesday, 30 July at the Old Bailey. He was previously convicted for Josh’s murder and possession of a knife on Wednesday, 4 June.

A man and woman were also convicted and sentenced for separate offences.

Josh’s mother, Bash Kehinde said: “Today’s sentencing changes nothing for me and my family. I will never see my beautiful son. And his two children will now face life without their hero.

“To all of the mothers of murdered children, I understand your pain, the sadness and sense of loss that is unbearable. It is made worse because it was all so senseless.

“Josh was a beautiful happy kind man and an active and loving father. The world is less kind, less bright and less funny without him here.”

Detective Inspector Chris Griffith, from Specialist Crime North, who led the investigation, said: “This was a savage and pre-planned attack, committed in broad daylight and with scant regard for passers-by. What took place left the local community reeling, and two young children without their father.

“My heart goes out to Josh’s family and friends. He was a loving parent, whose life was ended in the most horrendous way.

“I hope that today’s result provides Josh’s family with some closure, and allows the community to feel safer knowing that Belle is no longer free to commit such heinous crimes.”

The court heard that Josh was at a barbershop on Lea Bridge Road with his son on Saturday, 6 July. Around 15:00hrs, as shown on CCTV seized by the investigation team, Belle entered the shop wearing a balaclava where he stabbed Josh in the neck in a pre-meditated attack following a long-standing dispute. Belle was then chased away by Josh.

Members of the public rushed to Josh’s aid and attempted to provide medical treatment until the arrival of officers and paramedics. Despite their best efforts, Josh died from his injuries.

A determined investigation began immediately in which officers painstakingly combed through more than 100 hours of CCTV footage to track Belle’s movements and understand what took place.

Officers discovered that Belle was the passenger in a car being driven by his partner, Tenika Parker. Having seen Josh enter the barbershop, the pair drove to the address of man called Daniel Cooper. In doorbell footage later seized, Cooper was seen providing Belle with the balaclava and knife that would be used minutes later to murder Josh. Belle was then driven back to the barbers nearby before stabbing Josh. He was helped to escape by Parker in the waiting car.

A manhunt led to the arrest of Belle at an address in Pincott Road, SW19 on Monday 8 July, 2024.

As part of officers’ determination to further establish a watertight case against Belle, further enquiries led them to discover a rap video on YouTube showing Belle threaten Josh in advance of the attack, more proof that it was pre-planned.

Parker was initially arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Sunday, 7 July in India Dock Road, Poplar. She was stopped by police while driving the car that had been identified as involved in the murder. During a search of Parker’s vehicle, officers found distinct black sliders Belle was seen wearing in CCTV footage, as well as traces of blood that officers sent for forensic testing. This provided a DNA match to Josh. Parker was rearrested on Wednesday, 2 October, and charged with perverting the course of justice after CCTV footage showed her attempting to clean her car after the attack to remove any evidence.

Cooper was arrested after handing himself in to police on Thursday, 11 July. During a search at Cooper’s property, officers discovered two knives matching the branding of the weapon that was left at the scene of Josh’s murder. Forensic testing on the balaclava and knife discarded by Belle at the scene of Josh’s murder found DNA that matched with Cooper.

On Wednesday, 4 June, Tenika Parker, 39 (21.02.86), of Canterbury Road, Leytonstone and Daniel Cooper, 22 (20.02.03) of Gosport Road, Leytonstone stood trial alongside Belle.

Parker was convicted of possession of a knife and perverting the course of justice. On Wednesday, 30 July, she was sentenced at the Old Bailey to 2 years and 3 months years in prison.

Cooper had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a knife but was acquitted of other offences. He was sentenced on Friday, 6 June for 7.5 months. He has since been released due to time already served.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A third person has been arrested following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Keanu Harker in Enfield.

In the early hours of Thursday, 24 July, firearms officers along with detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, executed warrants at two addresses in Enfield.

A 17-year-old boy [C] was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

He was taken to a police station and was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.

Two other people have previously been arrested and charged in connection with Keanu’s murder.

They are:

[A] A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday, 29 June and charged on Monday, 30 June.

[B] Eliezer Mbike, 25 (08.07.00), of Oulton Road, Tottenham, who was arrested and charged on Monday, 30 June with perverting the course of justice.

A trial has been scheduled to take place at The Old Bailey starting on 18 May 2026.

Police were called at 20:45hrs on Thursday, 26 June, to reports of gunshots in Great Cambridge Road, Enfield.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found Keanu suffering gunshot injuries. He was treated at the scene before being taken to a nearby hospital.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he later died from his injuries.

His family continue to be supported by specialist officers.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting CAD 8393/26JUN. To remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been jailed for 3 years and 6 months following an investigation by Met officers, which proved he was using social media platforms to distribute indecent images and communicate with young children.

An investigation commenced after police became aware a man was in possession of indecent images of children. After this initial report, officers were able to gain access to his social media, where they discovered he had been communicating with children.

The Met is continuing to prioritise making London safer for women and children by placing hundreds more officers into bigger teams and rolling out specialist training using innovative methods, data, and technology to track down offenders and bring them to justice.

Simon Hynes, 41 (07.12.83), of Douglas Road, Brent, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months on Wednesday, 30 July at Harrow Crown Court.

Hynes pleaded guilty to 20 charges on Thursday, 24 April at Southwark Crown Court. A breakdown of the offences are as follows:

• Three counts of taking indecent images of children

• Three counts distributing indecent images of children

• One count of possession of extreme images

• Thirteen counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Kelleher, who led the Met investigation, said:

“My thoughts are with those children and families who have been harmed by Hynes’ offending online over a number of years. We will continue working to identify and support survivors of this kind of abuse.”

“The Met is working hard to pursue predators, and this sentencing is testament to the investigation team who worked diligently to build a file of evidence and ensure Hynes was not free to cause further harm to children. Their commitment has undoubtedly prevented further suffering, and they are a credit to the Met.”

Detective Sargent Callum Mantell from the Met Police who worked on the investigation added:

“The Met is prioritising violence against women and girls and this case demonstrates our commitment to tackling these offences in all forms, while ensuring those impacted are safeguarded and supported.”

“We believe there may be further children impacted and urge anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of Hynes to come forward and speak to officers.”

In December 2022, officers received initial reports that Hynes was in possession of indecent images of children. On his arrest, officers seized a number of devices, alongside a number of knives, a machete and an axe. Trained analysts began a trawl of his phones, where they discovered hundreds of indecent images of children.

Officers were able to gain access to Hynes’ social media accounts, where they discovered an account belonging to him which was being used to engage with children and to distribute indecent images of children.

Officers found chat logs where Hynes was communicating with children as young as eight years, sharing sexual images while encouraging them to sexually abuse their siblings.

Officers worked quickly to compile evidence against Hynes. They are now working to identify the victims that Hynes engaged with to offer support.

If you think you may have been impacted, we would urge you to call police on 101, or 999 in an emergency – we have specially trained officers who will listen and investigate where needed.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or report online. You can also report abuse and get support from the NSPCC – 0808 800 5000, or visit www.nspcc.org.uk.

People who sexually abuse children rely on secrecy to make sure their abuse is not discovered and reported. There can be physical or behavioural signs that a child is being abused – children often show us rather than tell us something wrong:

• Child suddenly having nightmares or other sleeping problems.

• Becoming withdrawn or very clingy.

• The child acting in a sexual way with toys or objects.

• Personality changes such as outbursts of anger or changes in eating habits.

• Having unexplained gifts such as money, a mobile phone and/or expensive clothes.

For awareness the usernames used by Hynes are shared below, we urge anyone that recognises these usernames to contact police on 101.

• sweetmale3700
• Genuine uk guy looking for genuine horny uk girls
• bigboy38000_qjl

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Four suspects have been charged following a stabbing in Newham which left a boy with life-threatening injuries.

Police were called to reports of a stabbing at 16:00hrs on Saturday, 26 July on Charlemont Road, Newham.

A 14-year old-boy was found with stab wounds and taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Five boys between the ages of 14 and 17, all from Newham, were arrested in relation to this matter on Tuesday, 29 July.

Four of those have been charged with attempted murder. They will appear in Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 30 July.

The fifth boy was released on bail pending further enquiries.

There are additional police officers deployed to the area for the reassurance of the local community.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information after a teenager was stabbed in Newham.

Police were called at 16:00hrs on Saturday, 26 July to reports of a stabbing in Charlemont Road.

Officers responded with paramedics and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with serious stab wound injuries.

He remains in a life-threatening condition.

Detective Inspector Joshua Palmer, from the North East command unit, said:

“This was a horrific attack on a teenager, witnessed by numerous members of the public.

“At this very early stage of the investigation, there doesn’t appear to be an obvious motive for the attack.

“The boy is in a very serious condition in hospital, and we are urgently trying to gather as much information as possible.

“If you were near Charlemont Road on the day of the incident, please check your phone for any footage you may have.

“I would urge anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area to contact the police. It may be crucial in our investigation.”

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting 4847/26JUL25. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Five boys, aged 14-17, were arrested on Tuesday, 29 July in connection with the incident – all on suspicion of attempted murder.

Four remain in custody for questioning. One has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Enquiries are ongoing.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following an investigation, led by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

A man from Hackney, who had been initially detained in connection with the incident, was arrested on Monday, 28 July. He remains in hospital and his condition is not life-threatening.

Officers were called at 13:00hrs on Monday, 28 July to reports that multiple people had been assaulted at a business unit in Long Lane, Bermondsey SE1.

Police and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene and treated four people for stab wounds.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics a 58-year-old-man died at the scene. Three other men were taken to hospital and a 27-year-old man has also since died.

The next of kin of the victims are aware and being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who leads policing for the area, said:

“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and friends of the victims of this tragic incident. Our investigation continues at pace and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances.

“I understand there may be concern in the local community and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. I would also encourage anyone who may be worried to speak to an officer.”

A crime scene remains in place and officers continue to investigate the circumstances.

The incident took place in an business premises and a crime scene is in place at a nearby hotel where the arrested man went into. We are aware of speculation the man was staying at the hotel, this is not the case.

Anyone with information can also call 101, report online or contact ‘X’@METCC and quote CAD3499/28.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Romford.

Officers received a report at around 21:00hrs on Sunday, 27 July from British Transport Police (BTP) following concerns for the welfare of a woman at an address in Bushy Close, RM1.

On arrival, officers located a woman in her 60s with multiple stab wounds. She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A murder investigation has been launched and officers have remained in the area throughout today to continue enquiries.

Met officers continue to work closely with BTP following information that connects the woman’s death to that of a 20-year-old-man on the train tracks at Romford railway station earlier on Sunday. BTP are treating the man’s death as non-suspicious.

The woman’s family have been notified and continue to be supported by specialist officers.

No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation remains ongoing.

Early enquiries indicate that the man and woman were known to each other.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Our thoughts remain with victim’s family at this difficult time as we investigate the circumstances behind this terrible incident.

“At this stage, we believe this to be an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public”.

Detective Superintendent Simon Giles, from the East Area investigations team added: “I understand that the incident is distressing for the community and we are working closely with our colleagues in the Specialist Crime Command to progress the investigation as quickly as possible.

“Those in the area today can expect to see our officers and we encourage anyone with any information to speak with them.”

Those with information can also call 101, report online or contact ‘X’@METCC quoting CAD6914/27JUL.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a 73-year-old man who was last seen close to Poverest Park, Orpington.

John was reported missing on Sunday, 27 July and was last seen at 08:58hrs leaving his home.

He was wearing a white T-shirt, navy bomber jacket, black jeans and navy crocs. He has dementia and officers are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.

John was captured via CCTV at Orpington train station, paying cash for a ticket. However, it is not known where he travelled to.

He has links to Brixton and Camberwell.

Inspector Chris Mackin, from the South Area missing persons unit, said:

“We are doing our very best to find John, but we are becoming increasingly worried about him.

“His family and friends are extremely anxious to find him – if you see him or have any information, please get in touch with us.”

You can call police on 999, report online or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 8205/6JUL or contact the Missing People charity on 116 000