Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers are appealing for the public’s help to trace a woman after jewellery was stolen from a hotel in central London.

Marinela Manolesu is wanted after a suitcase containing around £350,000 worth of jewellery was stolen on Sunday, 8 October.

The 28-year-old was working as a housekeeper at the hotel in Knightsbridge.

Our enquiries to date suggest she left the UK and travelled to Romania on Sunday, 15 October. We have contacted authorities in the country.

Anyone with information about Marinela’s whereabouts is asked to call 101 quoting 3787/19Oct. If you are calling from outside the UK, dial +44 20 7230 1212.

Information can also be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The annual Met Police Christmas Tree Appeal has launched for Christmas 2023 to ensure thousands of children in London – who may otherwise go without a gift – wake up to one on Christmas Day.

On Tuesday, 21 November, the Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was joined by 11-year-old Alicja Mglej to switch on the lights of the Christmas Tree outside New Scotland Yard, officially kicking off the campaign.

Alicja who is a pupil at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Enfield was the chosen winner of a competition to design the poster for this years’ campaign. Alicja’s winning design was chosen from 100s of entries from pupils across primary schools in London.

Since the campaign launched in 2011, generous donations from members of the public has meant that more than 150,000 children woke up to a gift under their tree. Last year, presents were brought for over 16,000 children in London.

This year, the Met are again working with the Childhood Trust to encourage even more people to purchase presents or donate money to the campaign.

Inspector Colin Reed, from Frontline Policing Delivery Unit, said: “While Christmas is a time of joy for many, for children living in poverty in London, this period can be particularly difficult. This year, working with the Childhood Trust, we are hoping to deliver presents to thousands of children in London so that they can feel joy on Christmas morning.”

Laurence Guinness, Chief Executive of the Childhood Trust said: “More than ever before children in the care system need our support this Christmas. There are thousands of children dreading the festive period because they know they won’t receive a gift, or have a family around them to celebrate with. We hope that Londoners will reach out by generously gifting a present or donation to bring joy to a vulnerable and disadvantaged child this Christmas.”

It’s quick and easy for the public to donate. All they have to do is visit https://metchristmastreeappeal.org/ and follow the simple instructions.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A teenager has been sentenced for twice breaching a criminal behaviour order following an investigation into social media footage posted online.

Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, 19 (20.10.04), of Manor Road, Hackney, was sentenced to 18 weeks detention at a young offenders institute for a breach on 24 May, and 14 weeks for an offence on or before 7 July. The sentences are to run concurrent.

He was also issued with a £154 victim surcharge; a criminal behaviour order (CBO) for a period of two years, expiring in November 2025, which prohibits him from trespassing on private property or entering the E20 post-code area of London (unless for the purposes of pre-arranged child contact or to get on and off public transport); and prohibited from publishing or in any other way sharing video footage, acting with anyone else to publish or in any other way share any video footage, or contributing to any social media account other than his own.

DCI Yasmin Lalani, Central East Command, said: “I think it is an appropriate outcome. When you have disregard for the law, I think this was a fitting sentence and I hope that O’Garro gets some help.

“I think it is a loud and clear message that nobody is above the law and that you have got to be held accountable.

“And this is the right result for the public as well, because I think the community were upset with the lack of respect for the law, and the distress and harassment he was causing – from the very young to the elderly.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Varinder Hayre, District Crown Prosecutor, who has worked side by side with police on the case and without whose dedication this outcome would not have been possible.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The Met is appealing for the public’s help to identify 20 men who took part in a counter-protest on Saturday, 11 November.

Throughout the day, there were several incidents of violent disorder across central London, including in and around Whitehall.

Detectives are investigating a range of offences including inciting racial hatred, racially aggravated public order offences and assault on police officers.

Commander Kyle Gordon said: “Public order policing doesn’t end when the event is over, and since Remembrance weekend, our teams have been working around the clock to identify those involved in any criminality that took place on the day.

“They’ve trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and are continuing to review evidence to help with enquiries.

“We need the public’s help to track down these men, who we want to speak to in connection with a range of offences.

“As with any public order event, we know that people may have travelled from outside of London, so we’re asking for people across the country to take a look at those pictured and get in touch if they recognise anyone.”

On the day, officers made 145 arrests for offences for possession of weapons, criminal damage, public order, inciting racial hatred and possession of drugs.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling on 0208 246 9386 quoting Operation Brocks. You can also tweet @MetCC.

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

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers are appealing for information after anti-Israel graffiti was found on a war memorial in Lewisham.

The graffiti was discovered on the memorial, on Lewisham High Street, on Monday, 13 November.

The damage was believed to have been carried out between midday on Sunday, 12 November and 09:00hrs on Monday, 13 November. It has since been removed by the local authority.

PC Andrew Dobson, who is investigating the incident, said: “Criminal damage and offensive comments of this nature are completely unacceptable and our team are doing all we can to identify those responsible.

“We know that incidents like this cause significant concern in our communities and we will be relentless in targeting those who commit such offences.

“We are asking anyone in the area on Sunday evening or overnight to think back as to whether they saw anything that could help us with our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC quoting ref 3230309/23 . You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man will appear in court for sentencing in December after he admitted throwing red paint over the Israeli embassy on Armistice Day.

John Harvey, 75 (04.03.48) of Pamela Street, E8 was immediately arrested at the scene by officers from the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command who were on patrol in the area.

On Saturday, 11 November at around 09:15hrs, Harvey was seen to approach the gates of the Israeli embassy. He was carrying a carrier bag, which officers later found had contained the tin of paint.

Harvey put the bag on the floor outside the embassy’s front gate and aimed the red paint and the tin towards the building. The paint covered the gate and the floor and also went on Harvey.

PC Kat Lloyd, investigating, said: “Any incident of this nature is distressing for people to witness, and it is unacceptable that the embassy was deliberately damaged in this way.

“At no point did Harvey gain entry to the embassy grounds during the incident, and he was dealt with swiftly at the scene by officers.

“This was a targeted act of criminal damage and now Harvey has admitted his guilt, we await sentencing.”

Harvey was charged with criminal damage, which he pleaded guilty to on Monday, 13 November at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

He was released on court bail to appear for sentencing at the same court on Thursday, 14 December.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are releasing an image of a man they want to speak to after three incidents in which women were followed in south London in the early hours of the morning.

At around 22:50hrs on Tuesday, 10 October, a man approached a woman as she was entering an address on Barrington Road, Brixton. After a short struggle she was able to fight him off and he left the area.

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.

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

Officers are treating the incidents as linked. The suspect is described as white, between 25-30 years old, of slim build and with short blonde hair.

Chief Inspector Dave Lee, from South West BCU, said: “These were extremely frightening incidents for the women involved and we are using all of the resources at our disposal to identify the individual responsible.

“We know this will cause community concern and we will be carrying out extra patrols at key times. We would encourage anyone who believes they can help our investigation to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting CAD 3425/11OCT. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are appealing for the public’s help to find a missing teenager from Southwark.

Ruben Campos-Vera, aged 15, was last seen on CCTV getting on a number 20 bus at Walthamstow Central station at around 17:45hrs on Tuesday, 14 November.

He left his home address on 7 November and has not been home since. Officers are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.

Ruben was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, with dark trousers, dark trainers and white soles. He was also carrying a patterned rucksack.

Detective Inspector Adrian Smith, from the Central South Missing Persons Unit, said: “We are carrying out extensive enquiries to try and find Ruben. Although his home is in Southwark, we know he has been in east London and are particularly asking anyone in Walthamstow and E17 areas to look carefully at the photos and think about whether they have seen him in recent days.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101. Report immediate sightings by calling 999.

You can also contact the Missing People charity by calling 116 000. This service is free and confidential.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

An officer who assaulted a man in Lambeth has been dismissed from the Met.

PC Claudia Pastina, who was attached to the Central South Basic Command Unit, appeared before a misconduct hearing on Monday, 20 November.

The panel reached the conclusion that she had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to ‘Use of Force’, ‘Authority, Respect and Courtesy’ and ‘Discreditable Conduct’.

PC Pastina was found guilty of assault by beating on 12 December 2022. She was given a 16-week sentence, suspended for two years and fined £748.

In February 2022, PC Pastina and a colleague attended an address on Stockwell Park Road, SW9, following a report of a man acting suspiciously.

On arrival, they located the man and asked him to leave the area. He refused to do so and they attempted to lead him away but he resisted, resulting in handcuffs being applied. The male bit PC Pastina and caused minor injuries to a second officer using a set of keys.

After arresting him for assaulting an emergency worker, PC Pastina then delivered a number of strikes to the man’s face.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, from the Central South Basic Command Unit, said “The public trust us to use the powers we have fairly, professionally and act with the highest standards at all times.

“In this case the high standards we expect were not met. PC Pastina’s actions were completely unacceptable.

“We will always investigate allegations of wrongdoing and take the appropriate action.”

The officer will now be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.