Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

We continue to support 18 police officers who were injured policing two public order incidents on Armistice Day.

Among them were nine colleagues who joined Met officers on mutual aid from regional forces around England and Wales.

Of the 18 who were injured, 16 were a direct result of actions from the crowds.

Officers were spat at, pushed to the ground, punched, and hit by fireworks, bottles and other missiles, resulting in dislocations and broken bones.

Three officers were hospitalised and received treatment for their injuries, including a fractured elbow and a suspected dislocated hip.

Officers continue to examine hundreds of hours of CCTV recovered from several locations as part of an extensive post-event investigation.

Last night we published images of 11 men suspected of a range of offences, including appearing to support proscribed organisations.

Sgt Lee Smith, a Met police officer, was stationed at Bridge Street whilst responding to suspected far-right protestors that had broken a cordon, and were advancing towards supporters of pro-Palestinian causes.

As police filled the gaps in the crowds to protect members of the public, Sgt Smith witnessed protestors throwing objects at his team.

He was struck in the face by a can of beer which cut his mouth and split open his lip.

Sgt Smith said: “The can hit me and I stumbled back and it felt like I had been punched in the face. It was a really horrible situation, but I didn’t want to go to hospital and leave my team.

“I looked around and could see a lot of our younger officers were worried, and it’s not fair that they’re subjected to that. We were isolated and holding the line, but I was proud of our officer’s resilience when responding to the events over the weekend.”

Officers that are involved in policing protests are encouraged to report their injuries, and are able to access further support and wellbeing services.

Superintendent Louise Puddefoot said: “Assaults on police officers should never be considered as ‘part of the job’, and incidents of verbal and physical abuse can have long lasting impacts on our hard-working front line staff.

“Our officers are working tirelessly day and night to help keep Londoners safe during these unprecedented times.

“Nobody deserves to be assaulted at work, and we have a zero-tolerance approach against assault, aggression, and verbal abuse for police officers who are trying to protect people from violence erupting in protest demonstrations.”

“We will continue to support our staff over the next few days, and I would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication in protecting the Cenotaph and people of London.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

We need your help identify a number of individuals who appear to be wearing clothing or holding signs advocating for terrorist organisations.

These men were seen at pro-Palestine protests in central London during Armistice Weekend and previous marches.

Specialist teams of officers continue to investigate a series of allegations after up to 300,000 marched through the capital last weekend.

They are analysing hours of CCTV footage, images from evidence gathering teams and photographs shared on social media.

One challenge is the large and tightly-packed crowds of the pro-Palestinian marches which make it difficult for officers to identify and arrest people immediately.

Investigators also suspect some of those pictured on social media may have only worn headscarves and other clothing briefly while the image was taken.

Counter protests in the area of Whitehall last Saturday involved significant violence and disorder. This led to a different police response.

Counter Terrorism officers are seeking the public’s help to identify the following eleven men.

Appeal one – Saturday, 11 November (reference 0326386/23)

Detectives investigating an allegation of incitement of racial hatred relating to anti-Semitic chanting are keen to speak to two men seen in social media footage of a pro-Palestine march in London on Armistice Day.

The first man (ref 0326386/23A) is described as looking aged between 20 and 30 years old. He is light skinned and has a beard. He is wearing a black baseball cap with a white front panel.

The second man (ref 0326386/23B) is described as age 20-30, with light skin, short dark hair and a beard and goatee. He is wearing a black puffer coat

Appeal two – Trafalgar Square, 4 November (reference 6579293/23)

We are investigating an allegation that people at a protest in Trafalgar Square on 4 November invited support for a proscribed organisation by engaging in pro-Hamas chanting.

The investigation team would like to speak to two men seen in social media footage.

The first man (6579293/23A) is described as looking age 40-50, of Asian heritage, with a grey beard. He is wearing a dark hoodie with a distinctive white square on the left breast.

The second man (6579293/23B) is described as looking age 20-30, wearing a black hoodie, grey tracksuit bottoms and a green neck covering.

Appeal three – King Charles Street, 14 October (reference 6573676/23)

Detectives are also wish to speak to six men seen in social media footage of a pro-Palestine protest on King Charles Street, central London, at around 16.15hrs on 14 October.

The investigation relates to allegations of inciting racial hatred and displaying an article in public that arouses reasonable suspicion of membership or support for a proscribed organisation.

The first man (6573676/23A) police is described as aged around 25-35 years old, light skinned and of light-skinned appearance with very short dark hair and a beard. He is seen wearing a green headband with writing on it.

The second man (6573676/23B) is described as aged around 25 years old, white skinned or light skinned with light brown or dark blond hair that is curly and short. We also believe he has a light jawline beard.

The third man (6573676/23C) is described as looking to be in his late 20s, with a light brown and a very closely shaven beard. He is wearing a dark baseball cap and black puffer coat.

The fourth man (6573676/23D) is described as looking 20-30 years old, and having short dark hair and a ginger or brown beard. He is wearing a cream zip-up fleece.

The fifth man (6573676/23E) is described as looking aged 20-30, with closely shaven dark hair and a dark beard. He is wearing a Palestinian flag around his neck

The sixth man (6573676/23F) appears to be in his 20s with short, dark, wavy hair. He is wearing a black puffer coat with a white circular logo on the left breast.

Appeal four – Bond Street, 21 October (5121298/23)

Officers have been continuing their enquiries to identify a man seen waving a placard with the words “I fully support Hamas” on it during a protest on Bond Street on Saturday, 21 October and we continue to urge anyone with information about the man to contact us.

He has short hair, light skin and is wearing a blue jacket with a light top underneath, a light stripy scarf around his neck, and light trousers or jeans.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Having pursued various lines of enquiry to try and identify these men, we are now seeking the public’s help.

“Many of the images we are sharing are very clear so I feel confident that there will be members of public who recognise the men. I really urge anyone who has information about these men – no matter how small – to call our confidential hotline.

“And if any of these men recognise themselves, I encourage them to go to a police station, so we can speak with them.”

Anyone who knows who these people are or has information that could help the investigation is asked to please report it in confidence online at gov.uk/ACT or by calling 0800 789 321.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged in connection with the murder of Ramane Wiggan in south London in 2019.

Hudhaifah Cranston, 27 (03.06.96), of Bevan Court, Croydon is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 15 November charged with Ramane’s murder.

Ramane was fatally shot at a block of flats in West Norwood on the afternoon of March 27 2019.

Cranston was arrested on Monday, 13 November and charged as above.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Flying Squad detectives are appealing for witnesses and information following a series of armed robberies in Camden and Islington.

Images and moving CCTV footage are being released in an attempt to identify three males in connection with the investigation.

Police were called at around 05.40hrs on 1 October to a report of an armed robbery at Tesco in Camden Road NW1.

Two male suspects entered the store, and while one produced a handgun which he pointed towards staff, the second proceeded to steal a number of items.

Just 40 minutes later, the same suspects went into the Nisa Local in York Way, N1 and carried out an identical offence.

At around 03.20hrs on 4 October the same two suspects went into the same Nisa store, this time accompanied by a third male. The group waved a handgun, knife and hammer at members of the public inside the store before stealing goods.

Suspect A is described as Asian, 6ft tall, aged in his 20s, dressed in black, including tracksuit bottoms with grey pockets.

Suspect B is described as Asian, 5 ft 7″ tall, approximately 20-30 years old and also wore all black, including a hoodie with a “MYPROTEIN” logo.

There is no description of the third suspect.

Detective Constable Will Wigzell from the Central Specialist Crime Flying Squad, is leading the investigation and said: “This was a very frightening experience for the victims involved, thankfully none of whom were injured.

“These are very serious offences and we are keen to identify those responsible as soon as possible.

“Officers have carried out a number of inquiries and are now appealing to the public for assistance. Do you have any information that could help us? Do you recognise the males in the images?”

Anyone with information which could assist is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC quoting CRIS 2332095/23. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

We arrested 115 Just Stop Oil activists who were slow marching on the A41 in Hendon on the morning of Monday, 13 November.

Officers acted quickly and made arrests under Section Seven of the Public Order Act (2023) when the group disrupted the road network.

They made arrests along the road and transported them to custody.

As the remaining activists made their way southbound onto the Brent flyover TSG officers closed one end of the carriageway to prevent their progress and allow other officers to contain the group on the flyover so traffic could be diverted onto the slipway.

The remaining activists were arrested and all remain in custody at this time.

Commander Colin Wingrove said: “This has been the most amount of Just Stop Oil arrests we have made in a single day during their autumn campaign.

“Their disruption was a day after an emotional and intensive weekend in London.

“We want officers in our communities to be that reassuring presence. Instead, we are having to remove some of them to arrest and transport 115 activists to custody.

“Protest is a fundamental part of democracy and something we are proud to uphold.

“However, Just Stop Oil are openly encouraging people to break the law and causing criminal damage which we will not tolerate.

“This slow march happened on a major road during rush hour when people could have been taking children to school, attending a doctor’s appointment or travelling to work.

“This is particularly impactful if a person’s job relies on punctuality, such as those in the trade who attend multiple addresses.

“I encourage everyone who has been affected by their slow marches to report the impact on our dedicated portal.

“Officers will continue to respond swiftly to their disruption so it causes minimum impact to Londoners, who are ultimately bearing the brunt and cost of their action.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Extensive analysis of CCTV footage has led to a man being convicted of murder in relation to a fatal stabbing in south London.

In December 2022, police officers investigating the murder of 24-year-old Abraham Kallon on Clapham High Street, trawled through footage from the surrounding roads in order to identify and trace the people who were present during the attack.

The investigation identified Justice Beckford and further enquiries identified his links to an address in Bexley where he was arrested a week after the murder. As part of the investigation, detectives searched another address linked to Beckford in Herne Hill and recovered a black jacket which matched what he had been wearing on the night of the murder; it had traces of Abraham’s blood on it.

Detective Sergeant Jake Good from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Our thoughts remain with Abraham’s family and friends who have had to sit through a trial and listen to details of the night he was killed.

“The thorough work carried out during this investigation proved vital to linking Beckford with the scene. It was the key CCTV footage and DNA analysis of blood found on the defendant’s clothes following the murder that led to the jury finding him guilty.

“Beckford now faces a lengthy prison sentenced for his actions.”

On 9 December 2022, Abraham had spent the night with a friend at a bar on Clapham High Street. After leaving, the friends began a conversation with a group of men and women. The men in this group became hostile, and one of them stabbed Abraham through an open car window.

The pair drove to Kings College Hospital, where at about 04:55hrs on 10 December 2022, officers – who were dealing with a separate matter – immediately administered first aid before arranging for Abraham to be treated by medics,

Despite the efforts of medical staff, sadly he died at the hospital a short time later.

A post-mortem examination held the following day at Greenwich Mortuary gave cause of death as stab injuries.

Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command launched an investigation. They carried out an extensive review of CCTV footage in the Clapham area, identifying where the attack had taken place and capturing images of the suspect and his associates, along with a number of cars that had been present.

Beckford was identified through this work resulting in his arrest and subsequent charge.

Justice Beckford, 23 (08.07.00), of Lambeth, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Monday, 13 November of murder and possession of a blade or sharply pointed article.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 23 November.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been jailed for rape after a DNA hit enabled officers to solve a historic case from 1999.

Abdul Basith, 52 (19.04.71) of Upton Park, London, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for the rape and indecent assault of a woman in Bethnal Green.

He was caught after his arrest for an unrelated matter led officers to re-open the rape case.

Detective Constable Amy Laybourn, of Central Specialist Crime, said: “This woman suffered a terrible ordeal which she has lived with for many years.

“It has taken several decades for Basith to be brought to justice but thankfully that has finally happened and we hope it has brought the victim the closure she deserves.

“The Met is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and I want to assure any victims who make a report they will receive specialist support and police will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Basith targeted the woman, in her 20s, as she tried to get a taxi home following a night out in Leicester Square on 6 March 1999. She was struggling to find a cab as she did not have enough money on her.

Basith then approached the victim and said he would drive her home regardless. The victim agreed and got into the car with him.

At some point during the journey, Basith stopped the car in a small car park where he assaulted the woman.

Basith resumed driving but stopped again when he got close to Bethnal Green. He locked the doors of the car so the victim could not get out and raped and assaulted her again, despite her shouting and fighting back.

After eventually letting her go, the victim tried to see the car’s number plate but Basith pushed her away and she ended up on the ground. He then drove off.

The victim was found in a distressed state by a passer-by who took her to a police station.

Officers carried out an extensive investigation at the time but were unable to trace Basith.

However, years later in 2020 he was arrested for an unrelated matter. This meant his DNA was placed into the system – and it matched DNA submitted from the rape.

The case was then reopened and investigated. Basith was arrested and charged and was found guilty on 23 June following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. Sentencing took place on Monday, 6 November.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A senior officer who resigned ahead of a gross misconduct hearing would have been dismissed without notice after allegations of drug use were proven against him.

Following an investigation by the Directorate of Professional Standards, Supt Aaron Clarke – who worked on the North East Area Command – was found to have breached the standards of misconduct with regards discreditable conduct and fitness for duty after he tested positive for controlled drugs.

On Monday, 13 November, at the accelerated misconduct hearing, chaired by Assistant Commissioner Pippa Mills, it was announced Clarke would have been dismissed without notice were he still in post.

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, local policing commander for north east London, said: “All officers are expected to maintain high standards both on and off duty – even more so those who are of a senior rank – and Supt Clarke knows that he has fallen far below the standards expected of him. In so doing he knows he has badly let down myself, his colleagues, partners and most importantly the public. Our DPS colleagues worked hard to ensure this matter was dealt with expeditiously and the right outcome was reached by the panel.”

In July, Clarke was asked to provide a urine sample having been informed there was reasonable cause to suspect he had taken drugs.

When the result confirmed a positive test result for misuse of a controlled drug, Clarke was suspended from duty. In October he resigned.

Clarke 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.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

An Inquest into the death of Sergeant Matt Ratana has today concluded he was unlawfully killed and that there were failures in the searching and observations of Louis de Zoysa.

The thoughts of everyone at the Met remain with Matt, his partner Su, his family and colleagues.

PS Ratana, a popular police sergeant had served the public for almost 30 years when he was shot and killed by Louis de Zoysa in the Met’s custody centre in Croydon in 2020.

The inquest followed the criminal trial of Louis de Zoysa, who was convicted of Matt’s murder and sentenced to a whole life term of imprisonment.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Stuart Cundy, said: “My first thoughts are with Matt’s partner Su and his family. The appalling act of violence that stole Matt from them continues to have a lasting impact on all his loved ones and the large number of people whose lives he touched, both inside and outside of the Met.

“At the time of his tragic murder just over three years ago, Matt had served the public for almost three decades. Like others, when I heard Matt had been fatally shot I was utterly shocked. The accounts of the officers who gave evidence highlighted the dangers and the challenges police officers face.

“The arresting officers recognised that their search and observations of de Zoysa could have been more systematic, and should have found the firearm. Later at the police station these same officers showed great courage in disarming de Zoysa whilst he continued to fire the gun. I admire their bravery and that of everyone who was in the custody centre that night.

“Matt Ratana’s murder was a stark and terrible reminder of the risks and challenges police officers and staff undertake every time they turn up for work.

“We will never forget Matt and will continue to honour his legacy, which will live on through his family, his many friends and colleagues in the Met, in his rugby foundation and beyond.”

The events surrounding the murder were independently investigated by both the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The IOPC investigation into the search, observation and transportation of de Zoyza found no indication any of the officers – including the two arresting constables – behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or that they had committed a criminal offence.

The IOPC did identify some learning for the two arresting police constables around body searching and transportation of detainees. They also recommended to the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) the implementation of handheld metal detectors in all police response vehicles and vehicles used to transport detained persons.

The HSE report concluded it was satisfied that the MPS had implemented changes to its safety management system that enabled better control of the daily risks our officers face.

Officer and staff safety is critical for the Met and it acted quickly to implement improvements in response to the tragic events at Windmill Road.

• Over 4,300 detectors have been deployed for use in all custody suites and by frontline officers in vehicles as well as an extra pool being allocated for officers on foot/cycle patrol.
• The Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST) for officers – the training relating to physical searching has been fundamentally reworked and incorporates learning from real life cases with significant emphasis on repeated practice of scenarios to equip officers with practical skills they can deploy instantly
• Custody sergeants must wear Met vests when meeting detainees in a holding/searching area, where they are triaged before entry to the custody suite itself
• The Met was the first police force to have piloted an airport-style ‘body scanner’ in one of our custody suites. The pilot is currently being evaluated and learning will be used to inform our next steps.

DAC Cundy said: “Whilst we can never eliminate risk entirely, the Met is committed to do all it can to keep officers and the public safe”.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A murder investigation continues following the death of a 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 along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service.

A man, aged in his 20s, was found with stab wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene. A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, in charge of policing in Waltham Forest and Newham, said: “Police officers have made contact with the victim’s family, who will be supported by specially trained officers. My thoughts and sympathies are with them.

“Detectives from Specialist Crime are leading the Met’s investigation, which will be extremely thorough. They are being assisted by forensic specialists. There will also be additional officers from the Met’s North East BCU in the Upton Park area in the coming days. I urge local people to speak with them if they have any information or concerns.”

Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 7287/11Nov. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested in connection with the incident. He has now been released without further action.