Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police investigating a knife point attempted robbery and sexual assault in Newham continue to appeal for information and witnesses.

A £10,000 reward is now available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible.

At approximately 22:30hrs on Wednesday, 3 May 2017, the female victim was returning from work when she heard someone running up behind her on Fentons Avenue, E13.

She turned to see a man with a knife, thrusting it towards her before demanding money from her; threatening to kill her if she did not oblige. The victim explained that she had no cash, but the suspect insisted she show him the contents of her purse.

When she was able to prove her claim, the suspect threw her bag to the floor, before sexually assaulting her and running from the scene.

Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command (CASO) have issued CCTV footage and an e-fit of a man they would like to identity in relation to their investigation. The footage shows the man in the vicinity of the incident shortly before it took place.

He is described as black, between 18 and 23 years old, approximately 5ft 5ins tall, with short black hair and spots or scars on his cheeks. He wore a rolled up balaclava as a hat, dark trousers and trainers and a distinctive dark jacket/top which was lighter on the torso area, had a dark strip going to midway down the front, and dark sleeves with a light patch on the left arm.

Detective Constable Tom Prosser, from CASO, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim which left her shaken and scared to go out. The suspect is clearly a dangerous individual who we need to identify; and it is hoped that the offer of a significant reward will assist.

“I would urge anyone with information which could assist the investigation to call 020 8217 7415. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Police in Barnet are appealing to trace a vulnerable 15-year-old boy who has gone missing from his home.

Daniel Edo-Ukeh Mrakpor was last seen at around 18:00hrs on Tuesday, 13 February at his home address in the Hendon area.

He is a black male, of slim build and with black hair. He wears glasses. 

Daniel suffers from autism. He is believed to be wearing pyjamas which have grey and orange horizontal stripes, with no jacket or shoes. He likes to travel on trains.

He is not thought to be carrying any money but has a Freedom pass.

Officers are growing increasingly concerned for his wellbeing and anyone with information on Daniel’s whereabouts is asked to call 0208 733 4125 or 101 quoting 18MIS006428. Alternatively, call Missing People on 116000.

A teenager has been charged after two police officers were injured in Downham on Thursday, 8 February.

[A] Byron Mason, 18 (10.09.99) of Arcus Road, Bromley was charged on Friday, 9 February with attempted section 18 wounding with intent to resist arrest, assault with intent to resist arrest and section 139 possession of a bladed article.

He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 10 February where he was remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on 9 March.

A 14-year-old male [B] who was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, and grievous bodily harm has been released under investigation.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command investigating the murder of Sandel Serbu in Ilford have released images of two men they wish to trace.

At 02:48hrs on Sunday, 12 November, police were called by the London Ambulance Service to reports of a fight and an injured man at High Road junction with Connaught Road, Ilford.

Officers attended and found Sandel 36, a Romanian national who was also known by the nicknames ‘Sorin’ and ‘Braileanu suffering from serious injuries.

He was taken by ambulance to an east London hospital, where he died at 04:35hrs that morning.

Razvan Stoica – aged 26 – also known as Razvan Vlagescu or ‘Jessie’ and Araman-Nardi Stoica – aged 24 – also known as Nardi Gladiatoru are being sought by police in connection with Sandel’s murder.

Razvan is a Romanian man described as 5ft 8 ins tall of medium build and Araman-Nardi is described as 5ft 11 ins tall of medium build.

Both men are known to frequent the areas of Redbridge, Newham and Barking.

Detective Inspector Paul Considine of the Homicide and Major Crime Command who is leading the investigation said: “We need to speak to these men in connection with Sandel’s brutal murder.

Whilst we have made a number of arrests, and charged two men, its important we trace Razvan and Araman-Nardi . I would urge anyone who may recognise them or knows of their whereabouts to contact police immediately.”

Anyone who recognises these men or knows of their whereabouts should contact police immediately by dialling 999. If you have any information that can assist police with the investigation please call the Homicide and Major Crime Command incident room on 020 8345 3734. Alternatively, to remain anoymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

An officer has been dismissed for making indecent images of children.

PC Ryan Campbell attached to the Roads and Transport Policing Command faced a special case hearing on Monday, 12 February.

Although the officer did not attend in person, he was subject to the hearing following his arrest on Thursday, 13 April 2017, by Herts Police on suspicion of making indecent images of children and subsequent charge on Friday, 5 January.

PC Campbell pleaded guilty on Tuesday, 30 January at St Albans Magistrates’ Court to three counts of making indecent images of children, category A, B and C.

These actions were considered a breach of the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of, ‘discreditable conduct’.

Having taken all of the evidence into consideration the Chair dismissed PC Campbell without notice.

His name will now be submitted to be placed on the Police Barred List preventing future employment elsewhere in policing.

Chief Inspector David Grainger of the Directorate of Professional Standards said: “Securing and maintaining the trust of the community is integral to the principle of policing by consent. Therefore the conviction of any police officer and for such an offence as this involving vulnerable children, will very obviously undermine that trust”.

“We do not want officers with these behaviours in the Metropolitan Police Service and he has been rightly dismissed with immediate effect”.

The officer is due to be sentenced on Friday, 2 March.

At approximately 1136hrs on Tuesday, 13 February, police were informed of a suspicious package that had been delivered to an office within the Palace of Westminster. Police are at the scene and dealing.

The letter contained a white powder which is currently being assessed by specialists. The office remains closed at this time, but the rest of the Palace of Westminster is open.

Detectives from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command have been informed and are investigating.

A PC who has since resigned from the Met, has been found proven of gross misconduct in his absence.

PC Benjamin Cassar who formally left last, Tuesday, 6 February and who was attached to the Roads and Transport Policing Command was the subject of a special case hearing held yesterday, Monday, 12 February.

PC Cassar was facing allegations that prior to his departure he had breached the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of ‘discreditable conduct’.

This followed allegations that on seven separate occasions, between 5 – 20 April 2017, the officer had travelled on a South Eastern Railway service from Maidstone East to Bromley South station without a valid ticket or permit to travel.

It was further alleged that on each occasion, the officer had presented his police warrant card to station staff at Bromley South in order to pass through the ticket barriers when he was not authorised to do so.

As a result, on 26 September 2017, PC Cassar was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court of seven counts of travelling on a railway without having previously paid his fare and with intent to avoid payment thereof.

He was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £2106.60.

However last December an amendment was made to Police Regulations which allowed police officers to resign or retire even if they are subject to misconduct proceedings. In which case, PC Cassar did.

After hearing all the evidence put before them the Chair found the allegations as proven. If the officer had still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice.

PC Cassar’s name will still be submitted to be placed on the Police Barred List preventing future employment elsewhere in policing.