Category: Police

A police constable has been dismissed for traffic convictions.

PC Yasmin Norris, attached to Merton Borough, faced a special case hearing on Friday, 26 January.

The chair heard that on 27 June 2017, PC Norris was convicted at Medway Magistrates’ Court of allowing someone else, who did not have the valid insurance to drive her BMW car between 31 August and 1 September 2016.

In addition, PC Norris was stopped by Police Scotland on 19 May 2017, for driving at 102mph in a 70mph zone.

It was alleged these actions amounted to a breach of the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of, ‘honesty and integrity’ and ‘discreditable conduct’.

Her conduct was proven as gross misconduct and she was dismissed without notice.

Detectives investigating a series of sexual assaults in South London have made an arrest.

A 51 -year-old male was arrested in Bromley in connection with a number of sexual assaults that have taken place across five different boroughs in south London.

The arrested man was taken to a south London police station where he currently remains in custody.

The series of 26 allegations mainly relate to Lewisham and Greenwich boroughs but also include Southwark, Bromley and Bexley.

The linked series of assaults typically took place during rush hour periods – between 0700-0900hrs and 1600-1800hrs – with victims being young women and girls.

The first incident is believed to have taken place on 16 October 2016 – a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Foxfield Road, Orpington at around 0915hrs.

Since then, police have received reports about similar offences that may have been committed by the same suspect.

The last reported assault was committed on Monday, 8 January. A 12-year-old girl reported an attempted robbery at approximately 7:30hrs on Grierson Road junction with Gabriele Street. The officers are linking this to the series and treating it as an attempted sexual assault.

Police have increased patrols in the areas where offences have been reported, and have also worked with local schools to reassure pupils and parents.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Furphy of Lewisham police, leading the investigation, said: “We are aware that there might be further victims who have not yet spoken to police; if you are a victim, or know someone who has been a victim of a sexual assault, I can assure you your information will be treated with strict confidence and sensitivity and we can also access specialist support where needed.”

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 0208 284 8346 or call 101 or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command investigating a serious collision involving a car and cyclist, where the driver failed to stop, have released an image of a vehicle whose driver may have vital information.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at around 23:35hrs on Wednesday, 10 January to reports of a car in collision with a cyclist on Camden Road at the junction of Royal College Road – opposite Camden Road Overground Station.

Officers attended. The male cyclist, aged 47, was taken to an east London hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

The driver failed to stop at the scene. The car believed to have been involved in the collision was recovered nearby in Kings Terrace, NW1.

Just after the collision, the suspect vehicle drove into Plender Street, entering the one-way street from the wrong direction.

There, the vehicle nearly collided with a black cab which had to take a sharp turn to avoid contact.

The cab then turned right into Bayham Street, NW1.

Officers investigating the Camden Road collision are appealing for the driver of this other vehicle – a large SUV, possibly a Mercedes Vito Taxi – to come forward. Officers believe he may have information that could assist the inquiry.

If you witnessed the collision or have any information about the vehicle involved, the vehicle pictured or anything that may assist the investigation, call the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8991 9555.

A police constable, who is currently serving seven years in prison, has been dismissed without notice from the Metropolitan Police Service.

Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball chaired a special case hearing to consider if the conduct of PC Joseph Prasad breached the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

On 24 August 2017, PC Prasad, attached to Specialist Crime and Operations, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and jailed for seven years.

PC Prasad and a female colleague were arrested on 7 June 2016 in Romford after police received an anonymous call about a man and woman reportedly dealing drugs at the location.

Both officers were off-duty at the time.

On being detained, PC Prasad picked up his colleague’s handbag on the premise of looking for her warrant card; however – he produced two packets containing white powder which he claimed he had found in the bag.

Forensic analysis showed that only PC Prasad’s DNA was on the packets. Both officers were subjected to drugs tests which returned negative results.

Further investigative work revealed that PC Prasad was in possession of two mobile phones. One of the phones had been used to make the anonymous call to police on 7 June 2016. Further analysis showed numbers linked to Prasad had made numerous anonymous calls over a two-month period to police, Crimestoppers and the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) giving false information in an attempt to get his colleague arrested.

Having considered all the evidence, AC Ball dismissed PC Prasad without notice on Friday, 26 January.

Three teenagers have been arrested after a firearm was pointed at an officer who stopped a youth in Lewisham.

At 20:13hrs on Saturday, 27 January, two officers on routine patrol sought to stop a man on Longbridge Way in Lewisham.

The 17-year-old youth pointed a firearm directly at the head of one of the officers before making off on foot. Neither of the officers, both of whom are male, were injured.

The youth was later found near to Lewisham Park having attempted to alter his appearance by changing his clothing.

The teenager [A] was arrested along with another 17-year-old boy [B] and a 14-year-old girl [C] on suspicion of possession of a firearm. All were taken to a south London police station for questioning. 

All three have been released under investigation pending enquiries.

The weapon has been recovered and will be examined by specialist officers.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following an aggravated burglary in Croydon.

Police were called at approximately 22:00hrs on Thursday, 25 January to reports of an aggravated burglary in Purley Rise, Croydon.

The occupants of the house heard loud banging at the front door. When they went to investigate, they were faced with a group of five suspects all wearing masks, armed with crow bars, who then managed to force entry into the property.

The suspects demanded gold jewellery, hitting one of the victims on the hand with the crowbar. They also carried out a search of the premises.

The suspects made-off with a quantity of gold jewellery, a Rolex watch and cash.

The London Ambulance Service attended and treated two elderly victims for minor injuries. Another victim [no further details] was taken to hospital for non-life threatening or life-changing injuries and was subsequently discharged.

DC Emma Morris, the investigating officer from Croydon CID, said: “This is a traumatic incident for the victims in their own home. It has impacted on them hugely and those responsible must be caught.

“We are seeking anyone who may have any information about the incident to come forward and speak to police. We believe a suspicious dark coloured vehicle was seen in the area shortly before the incident. We would urge anyone with any information about this vehicle to contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact DC Emma Morris on 07769 922 321 or 101 quoting reference number 8883/25JAN.

Alternatively to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.