Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Four teenagers and a 20-year-old man have been charged with the murder of a 26-year-old man in Newham.

Police were called at 22:11hrs on Saturday, 11 November to reports that a man had been stabbed inside a car at the junction of Victoria Avenue and Grangewood Street, E6.

Officers attended and a man, named as Anselam Senaj, was found with stab wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and continue to be supported by specialist officers.

A post-mortem examination on 13 November gave cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

On 22 November, warrants were issued at various addresses in London and five people were arrested and taken into custody.

The following have all now been charged with murder:

Khalis Malik 18 (13.08.05) of Pittman Gardens, Ilford

Zain Ali 20 (27.03.03) of Poulett Road, East Ham

Esahak Yusuf 19 (08.08.04) of Benson Avenue E6

Two 17-year-old boys

They are all due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 24 November.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

At 19:59hrs on Thursday, 23 November, officers were called to Weston Green, Dagenham. The occupant of an address called the police and said that he wanted to take his own life.

During the phone call, the man also stated that he was in possession of loaded firearms.

As a result of this information, firearms officers attended the address and a specialist negotiator was requested.

Police continued efforts to engage with the man throughout in an effort to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

Shortly before 21:00hrs shots were fired by police.

Officers immediately provided first aid, including CPR, but despite their efforts and those of paramedics, the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene at 21:30hrs.

The investigation is in its very early stages.

A non police firearm was located by officers at the scene. A further search of the address suggests nobody else was present at the time of the incident.

Commander Kyle Gordon, Frontline Policing Commander for North and East London, said: “My thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who has died, with the local community in Dagenham and the officers involved in this incident.

“While formal identification has yet to take place, officers believe he was aged 40. His next of kin has been informed.

“They will receive our full support.”

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was made aware immediately after the incident and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are releasing more images of a man they want to speak to, after incidents in which women were followed and an Uber driver stabbed.

On Friday, 17 November, a woman was walking on Sisters Avenue, SW11 at around 04:00hrs when she noticed a man following her. As he got close, she began to shout and he ran away. He was in possession of a knife.

The second incident took place on Sumburgh Road, SW12 at around 01:40hrs on Sunday, 19 November. The man approached a woman and grabbed her, but she managed to escape.

On Thursday, 23 November, at around 00:20hrs, an Uber driver was stabbed in the chest twice on Nightingale Lane in Clapham. His condition is not life threatening or life changing and he has been released from hospital.

From the description, officers have linked this suspect to the other offences.

At around 02:50hrs on 23 November, officers saw the suspect at Clapham Common near the Holy Trinity Church, approaching women. Officers chased him, but he ran off in the direction of Clapham Common West Side.

At 04:45hrs, the same officers recognised the man, on this occasion using a red bicycle. He was again chased and lost on St John’s Road at the junction with Aliwal Road.

The suspect is described as white, between 25 and 30 years old, of slim build with short blond hair.

Anyone seeing this man should not approach him, but call 999 immediately.

Detective Superintendent Dan O’Sullivan, from the South West Command Unit, said: “We are extremely concerned about this man and we need to find him as soon as possible. I am really concerned that he will commit further offences and I am asking anyone who knows him or has any information to call police. You can also call Crimestoppers and you do not have to give your name.

“We know this will cause community concern and we will be carrying out extra patrols at key times. If you have any information, please do not hesitate but call us straight away.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via X (Twitter) @MetCC. Please quote CAD 754/17Nov.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been arrested by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command as part of an investigation into online Islamist terrorist and anti-Semitic material.

The 20-year-old man was arrested in north London on Wednesday, 22 November on suspicion of encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of a terrorist publication – both relating to Islamist Terrorism online content.

He was also arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, which relates to anti-Semitic online content. The investigation predates the current Israel-Hamas conflict.

The man was initially stopped back in June 2023 during a Schedule 7 stop at Heathrow. During the stop, officers examined his electronic devices and they were subsequently seized and sent for further analysis, the results of which led to his arrest this week.

He was taken to a south London police station and has since been released on bail to a date in Feb 2024 pending further enquiries.

Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said:

“While this investigation predates the current Israel-Hamas conflict, we know many people – particularly those in our Jewish communities – are concerned about certain material they may be seeing online. I hope this reassures the public that we will take action where people are breaking the law in this way. Anyone concerned about content that they think could be terrorist-related should report it to us.

“This arrest came about as a result of a schedule 7 stop at a port and these powers help us to keep the public and UK safe from terrorism. There is no place for hateful, terrorist ideology to be spread online and where we identify people who we believe to be committing offences, we will investigate and take action.”

If you have seen material online which you are concerned could be terrorist or extremist, please report it at: www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

Communities defeat terrorism, and information from the public is vital to our counter terrorism investigations. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious and think someone may be engaging in terrorist activity, trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence at www.gov.uk/ACT or call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives in the Met’s North Area Command have arrested a man on suspicion of hate crime offences.

The 55-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, 23 November on suspicion of arson and racially aggravated harassment. He was taken to a north London police station where he remains at this time.

He is suspected of having racially abused a Jewish woman, aged in her 30s, in the street at Townsend Road, N15 on Tuesday, 21 November, and of setting fire to the same victim’s car on Monday, 6 November.

Detective Sergeant Chris Church, of North Area CID, said: “This was a terrifying experience for the victim who was just going about her day.

“We simply won’t tolerate hate crime and those who commit such abhorrent crimes will be prosecuted.

“While the victim in this case was not physically harmed, the effects of being a victim can be damaging and long lasting. We continue to support her and her family.

“All reports of hate crime are taken seriously and I would like to reassure all of our communities that we have specially trained officers who investigate these cases with a view to taking robust action against offenders. If you encounter hate please do report it.”

If you are a victim of hate crime please call 101 or report online. In an emergency always dial 999.

To report crime anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers investigating a homophobic assault in Chadwell Heath have made six arrests.

The males, aged between 16 and 22, were arrested in their homes this morning (23 November) in connection with the attack that occurred in October.

Chief Inspector Chris Nixon, from the East Area Command Unit, said: “This morning’s arrests are the culmination of our investigation into an unprovoked assault on two men, that left one requiring hospital treatment.

“We are keeping the victims updated, and those arrested will be taken to police stations where they’ll be interviewed about their involvement in this attack.

“We are aware of the corrosive effect of hate crime and remain determined to bring those responsible for such crimes to justice. I hope that these arrests will send out a signal to those who think they can get away with homophobic abuse and violence that we will track you down.”

At approximately 17:30hrs on Sunday, 1 October, the two victims, who are both men aged in their 20s, were walking along High Road in Chadwell Heath. A group of up to six unknown males were verbally abusive towards the men before making threats.

A member of the group then struck one of the victims on the head with a plank of wood. The victim suffered cuts and bruises as a result of the incident. He went to hospital for treatment and was discharged shortly after.

The second victim was not injured, however the pair were understandably distressed.

A dedicated LGBTQ+ liaison officer will continue to have oversight of the investigation and provide support to the victims.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information or footage is asked to call police on 101 or contact via ‘X’ Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 5640/01Oct.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

An investigation by the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit into the tragic death of a young child has resulted in a motorcyclist pleading guilty to multiple driving offences.

On Friday, 17 November, Nicholas Hopkins pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in relation to a collision on Plumstead Road, SE18 which led to eight-year-old Mustafa Ahmed losing his life.

Detective Sergeant Sam Miles, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “Our thoughts remain with Mustafa’s family – who continue to struggle with the events of that day – as well as the officers and paramedics who were first on scene.

“This is truly a tragic case, caused by the defendants reckless and dangerous driving. Mustafa was only eight years old, and had the rest of his life ahead of him.”

Officers were called at approximately 19:30hrs on Sunday, 19 February to reports of a motorcycle in collision with three pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing on Plumstead Road, near the junction with Lenton Street, SE18.

Officers, London Ambulance Service and the Air Ambulance all attended the scene.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services one of the pedestrians, Mustafa, sadly died at the scene.

A man, aged in his 40s, and a ten-year-old boy, who were crossing the road together with Mustafa, were taken to hospital suffering serious injuries. They have since been discharged but are still suffering with the long term effects of their injuries

Nicholas Hopkins, 20 (13.02.03) of Burrage Grove, Plumstead was convicted at Inner London Crown Court of the following offences;

– Causing death by dangerous driving;
– Causing death by driving unlicensed;
– Causing death whilst uninsured;
– Causing serious injury by dangerous driving;
– Causing serious injury by dangerous driving;
– Possession of Class B drugs.

Hopkins was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the same court on 26 January 2024.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Eleven members of a criminal gang have been arrested and charged by detectives who have seized the UK’s largest ever stash of synthetic opioids.

On 24 October officers working with the UK Border Agency raided a number of addresses in Waltham Forest and Enfield as part of a national UK law enforcement effort to investigate the increase in synthetic opioid products being adulterated into the drugs supply network.

At an address in Waltham Forest they recovered approximately 150,000 tablets of Nitazene, a synthetic opioid, in a sophisticated factory set up.

A substantial amount of other class A and B drugs, a firearm, a pill pressing machine, over £60,000 in cash and £8,000 in cryptocurrency stored in various hard drives were also seized, along with a large quantity of mobile phones and laptops.

It is suspected the drugs were sold via the Dark Web, using encrypted chat applications and social media.

11 people have been arrested between 21 August and 21 November. All have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs

Detective Superintendent Helen Rance, leading the investigation, said: “Synthetic opioids have been detected in batches of heroin found in London and across the UK; they substantially raise the risk of incredibly serious harm to the user and are believed to be linked to a number of deaths.

“We are working closely with partners to monitor and proactively tackle this issue, provide advice and remove the availability of these dangerous drugs from our streets.”

Anyone wanting to provide information, seek advice or request help should contact their Local Drug Information System (LDIS) or www.talktofrank.com or from the FRANK helpline on 0800 77 66 00. A list of alcohol and drug support networks in London can be found here.

If you see or encounter drugs, please do not touch them – instead call 999 immediately.

The symptoms after a person has consumed a synthetic opioid are as follows:

– The person’s eyes will have small, narrowed pupils

– Drowsiness, dizziness, limp bodied or have a reduced/loss of consciousness

– Difficulties breathing

– They may be nauseas and be vomiting

– Cold and clammy skin

– Lips and fingernails are blue or grey in colour

– Low blood pressure or decreased heart rate.

Detective Superintendent Rance added: “The public health advice remains that illegal drugs should not be consumed. There are support services available for people who need help. Anyone who has consumed synthetic opioids and experiences the symptoms described should seek urgent medical treatment.”

If you or someone you believe has these symptoms, you MUST act immediately. Call 999 requesting the ambulance service and detail the symptoms you see.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with the murder of Jordan Briscoe after being extradited to the UK from Italy.

[G] Vittorio Di Murro – 25 (16.07.98) of Hartington Road, E17 was charged with the murder and one count of robbery after arriving at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, 22 November. He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 23 November.

He is the sixth person to be charged as part of this investigation. Those previously charged ahead of a trial, set for the Old Bailey on 8 January 2024, are:

[B] A 17-year-old male charged with murder and robbery.

[C] Karl Black, 43 (06.10.80) of Cassiobury Road, E17 charged with murder and robbery.

[D] Christina Manen – 36 (02.04.87) of Lancaster Close, Ramsgate charged with manslaughter and robbery.

[E] Jahoe Allen, 33 (19.04.90) of no fixed address charged with murder and robbery.

[F] Jabir Sitar, 21 (29.06.02) of Clacton Road, E17 charged with murder and robbery.

A murder investigation was launched after police were called at 22:17hrs on Sunday, 5 March to reports of a stabbing on Arnold Road, N15.

Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service. Jordan Briscoe, 25, was found with stab wounds. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital, where he died later that night.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers have identified six suspects after a Jewish woman was subjected to intimidating behaviour and abuse in a coffee shop in Hillingdon.

The incident was reported on 20 October and had taken place three days earlier in a coffee shop in Joel Street, Northwood.

The young woman was reported to have been with friends, discussing the Middle East conflict. A group behind them then started to make comments about this. The suspect group left and then entered the coffee shop again, shouting anti-Semitic abuse.

CCTV enquiries have now led to five of the suspects being identified and interviewed under caution. A six person has been identified and will be interviewed shortly.

Officers will continue to update the victim as enquiries progress and a case is built.

There is no room for intolerance and hate in London and any offences reported to police will be investigated robustly.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC quoting ref 0924670/23. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.