Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives investigating the murder of missing woman Lisa Pour have secured a £20,000 reward for information that brings her killer to justice.

The reward is being offered by independent charity Crimestoppers for information they receive that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone linked to Lisa’s murder.

Crimestoppers take your information and pass it on to detectives whilst guaranteeing you stay totally anonymous.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson, who is leading the investigation, said: “Lisa has been missing for more than ten years and we know the heartache and distress this has caused to her devoted parents and three children.

“We are carrying out active enquiries and we hope that this new reward from Crimestoppers could encourage anyone who has any information to now come forward.”

Lisa, who would now be 51, was last seen by her probation officer on 16 January 2013 and was reported missing a week later on 23 January.

Detectives believe that the absence of any contact from Lisa since that date, as well as other information they have received as part of their investigation, means she has likely been killed.

At the time of her disappearance, Lisa was living apart from her family and had been staying at a flat in Kilburn High Road which was known to be popular with drug users.

Over the years officers have spoken to a variety of people with connections to the address, as well as other who claim to have seen Lisa since the day she vanished. So far, the information has not resulted in any significant developments.

Lisa was around 5ft 2ins tall, of slim build and with dark hair. She was known to spend time in Camden and Brent.

DCI Rawlinson added: “The length of time that has passed has not made it easier for Lisa’s family – without finding out what happened they have no closure and without a body, are unable to lay her to rest.

“There may be people out there who in the past have not felt able to speak to us but are now in a position to do so. If that is you, please call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit their website.”

Alternatively you can speak directly to officers by calling the incident room on 020 8358 0200, or call 101 or Tweet @MetCC.

Anonymity:

Please note: With Crimestoppers and Fearless, computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility. Crimestoppers is completely independent of the police and guarantee complete anonymity.

Claiming a reward:

The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers or Fearless and not to the police – a reward code must be asked for when calling the charity on 0800 555 111 or when completing an anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A woman is due to appear in court charged with racially aggravated public order offences in Westminster

Laura Davis, 21 (31.07.02) of Hendon Way, Barnet, was charged with racially aggravated threatening and abusive behaviour, intended to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

She was arrested on Friday, 28 October after allegedly holding a racially offensive and anti-Semitic sign during a demonstration in Westminster.

Davis is currently on bail and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 29 November.

+The Met is listening to, and working with, London communities and partners during these difficult times. We want all Londoners to feel safe and we will look carefully at any concerns raised including the circumstances of each event and will take positive action against those committing any crime or hate crime.

We have increased patrols and assigned more than 1,000 officers to provide high visibility patrols across London, particularly where we know communities feel vulnerable to reassure and keep them safe.

We are relentlessly targeting those who commit hate crimes and threaten our communities and pursuing suspects in many other cases. Anyone who is the victim of hate crime or is worried about their safety in any way, is urged to contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following a serious collision in Hendon that left a young child in a critical condition.

Police were called at about 14:10hrs on Tuesday, 7 November to reports of a white pick-up, with a trailer, in collision with a child on the A1 Great North Way close to the junction with Ashley Lane, NW4.

Emergency services attended. The two-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. His family are aware.

The driver stopped at the scene. There have been no arrests.

Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating. They would like to speak with anyone who saw the collision or captured it on dash cam.

Anyone witnesses are asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8246 9820 or via 101 quoting reference CAD 3824/07Nov.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The Met is determined to bring those suspected of hate crime in London to justice.

We know some of our communities continue to feel extremely vulnerable as violence in the Middle East continues.

Hundreds of officers are undertaking extra patrols at places of worship, schools and other premises.

They are also listening to the concerns of community leaders and representatives of different faiths.

There is no place for hate or division in our city and we will take robust and positive action wherever we can.

Since the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, we have made a total of 188 arrests involving hate crimes and acts such as violence, linked to protests in the capital.

Of these 98 are suspected anti-Semitic offences, 21 are alleged Islamophobic offences and a further 12 are believed to be faith hate crimes.

In addition, 57 are public order offences, including many which are racially aggravated.

Of these offences, 46 people have been charged with offences. Of these 19 involve allegations of anti-Semitism.

The vast majority of protest arrests took place in Westminster, while the majority of anti-Semitic offences were reported in Hackney where there is a large Jewish community.

People in this area are being supported fully by local policing leads and crime prevention tactics are in place to tackle hate crime and arrest offenders.

Commander Paul Trevers, who is responsible for criminal justice outcomes, said: “This is a challenging time for communities in London.

“We continue to see a very concerning rise in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate crime. This is absolutely unacceptable.

“No-one should be subjected to hate because of their faith or race, and we are taking action against those who are offending.

“In some cases, our officers have taken accounts of extremely shocking and hateful abuse as well as acts of violence.

“We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service to build strong cases against those who offend.

“We continue to work extremely closely with our faith communities and we know the impact on them is not diminishing.”

Anyone who sees an incident of concern, experiences threatening behaviour – including online, or is worried about their safety, should contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police investigating a serious assault in Camden have issued an image of a man they want to identify.

The incident happened at approximately 22:10hrs on Saturday, 29 April outside Camden underground station in Camden High Street, NW1 during a dispute about a lost or stolen mobile phone.

During the dispute the first victim was punched in the chest, causing him to fall to the ground. A second man who was filming the incident was then punched in the head by the suspect. Both men were taken to hospital as a precaution before being discharged.

Officers investigating the assaults have issued an image of a man they want to identify and speak to in relation to the second assault.

Detective Constable Georgia Blakeney from the Central North Command Unit said:

“This was a violent assault which resulted in one man requiring hospital treatment. Our work remains ongoing to identify the men involved, and we are releasing an image of one of them in the hope the public can assist us.

“Do you recognise him? Were you there and witnessed this incident? If you can help please get in contact immediately.”

Work also continues to identify the second suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD8209/29Apr – you can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

We have charged 44 Just Stop Oil activists after officers made more than 100 arrests on Monday, 6 November.

Harrison Donnelly, 20 (26.12.02) of Sillitoe Way, Nottingham and Hanan Ameur, 22 (26.03.01) of Hornsey Road, Islington were charged with criminal damage after the protective glass of a painting at the National Gallery was vandalised.

The historic painting sustained minimal damage but is undergoing conservation treatment.

The remaining 42 activists were charged with obstruction of the highway following two slow marches along Whitehall.

Of the 44 people charged, 20 have been remanded in custody while the other 24 were bailed with conditions.

During the first of the two slow marches, officers made 79 arrests in 18 minutes to clear Whitehall with a further 25 arrests made during the second slow march.

Since the start of Just Stop Oil’s autumn action on Monday, 30 October, 219 arrests have been made and 98 activists have been charged.

Ultimately it is Londoners who are bearing the brunt and cost of Just Stop Oil’s disruption.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives investigating a death in Edgware have charged a man with murder.

[C] Gabriel Silvera, 19 (13.09.04) of Uxbridge Road, Pinner was charged on Tuesday, 7 November with the murder of Dragos Carabineanu.

He will appear in custody at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 8 November.

Shortly after 05:00hrs on Saturday, 28 October, police were alerted by hospital staff to a man who had been brought into a central London hospital for treatment.

The injured man, 46-year-old Dragos Carabineanu who was from Burnt Oak, remained at St Mary’s Hospital in a critical condition before he sadly died from his injuries on Wednesday, 1 November.

A special post-mortem examination is due to be held on Wednesday, 8 November.

The incident happened at just before midnight on Friday, 27 October outside Burnt Oak Underground Station on Watling Road in Edgware.

On Thursday, 2 November a 17-year-old male [A] was arrested on suspicion of theft in connection with the investigation. He was taken to a north London police station and was later bailed to return on a date in mid-January 2024.

A 38-year-old woman [B] was arrested on Friday, 3 November on suspicion of theft. She was taken to a north London police station and bailed to return on a date in early February 2024.

On Monday, 6 November, a 19-year-old man [C] was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was later charged as above.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quoting reference CAD 1357/28Oct or provide information direct at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS23V87-PO1.

To remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police Service will protect Armistice and Remembrance events in London this weekend.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “The events taking place this weekend are of great significance and importance to our nation. I completely recognise the significant public and political concern about the impact of ongoing protest and demonstrations on this moment of national reflection. Therefore I am determined we will do everything in our power to ensure they pass without disruption.

“The reason we have an independent police service is so that among debate, opinion, emotion and conflict, we stand in the centre, focused simply on the law and the facts in front of us.

“The laws created by Parliament are clear. There is no absolute power to ban protest, therefore there will be a protest this weekend.

“The law provides no mechanism to ban a static gathering of people. It contains legislation which allows us to impose conditions to reduce disruption and the risk of violence, and in the most extreme cases when no other tactics can work, for marches or moving protests to be banned.

“Many have called for us to use this power to ban a planned march by the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign on Saturday.

“But the use of this power is incredibly rare and must be based on intelligence which suggests there will be a real threat of serious disorder and no other way for police to manage the event. The last time it was used was over a decade ago.

“Over recent weeks we’ve seen an escalation of violence and criminality by small groups attaching themselves to demonstrations, despite some key organisers working positively with us.

“But at this time, the intelligence surrounding the potential for serious disorder this weekend does not meet the threshold to apply for a ban.

“The organisers have shown complete willingness to stay away from the Cenotaph and Whitehall and have no intention of disrupting the nation’s remembrance events. Should this change, we’ve been clear we will use powers and conditions available to us to protect locations and events of national importance at all costs.

“Officers will continue to take swift and robust action against any breakaway groups or individuals intent on using legitimate, lawful protest for their own agenda through Saturday and Sunday.

“If over the next few days the intelligence evolves, and we reach a threshold where there is a real threat of serious disorder we will approach the Home Secretary. Right now, we remain focused on the facts in front of us and developing our plan to ensure the highest levels of protection for events throughout the weekend.

Notes to editors

The Met can apply for a public procession to be banned under Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 if this is a risk of serious public disorder.

This is defined as activity that may result in serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community.

The legislation makes it clear that other conditions, such as on the location on the protest, should be considered before a complete ban is imposed.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

An investigation by Met homicide detectives has resulted in two people being convicted of murdering a man whose body has never been found.

Frank McKeever was last seen on 28 August 2021 when he visited his step-daughter Surie Suksiri and her boyfriend Juned Sheikh at Suksiri’s flat in Highbury.

The 63-year-old was reported missing on 9 September 2021 and an investigation was launched.

Following his disappearance, detectives carried out extensive enquiries to establish what had happened to Frank.

The breakthrough came when Suksiri told a witness that she and Sheikh had murdered Frank and disposed of his body.

Detectives carried out extensive enquiries to find Frank.

They analysed his phone and bank account data which revealed there had been no activity since the night he was last seen on 28 August 2021.

There had also been no contact with his family or friends which resulted in detectives coming to the conclusion that Frank was no longer alive.

CCTV from the night that Frank was last seen showed him near to Suksiri and Sheikh’s flat in Highbury.

As the last people to see Frank before his disappearance, the pair were interviewed by police.

Suksiri was first arrested on 28 September 2021 and Sheikh was first arrested on 1 October 2021.

They had previously been interviewed as witnesses during the missing person’s investigation.

They were released under investigation while detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command continued painstaking work to piece together what had happened to Frank.

On 17 October 2022, Suksiri told a witness that she had been involved in Frank’s murder.

She told the witness that Frank had abused her when she was a child. There were no formal allegations against Frank and there was no evidence found during the course of the investigation to suggest this was true.

Suksiri went on to describe how she and Sheikh had ‘battered the f*ck’ out of Frank before buying a car and disposing of his body ‘eighty miles’ outside of London.

Other information Suksiri had shared with the witness led detectives to believe Frank had suffered a prolonged and cruel attack that had happened when he visited Suksiri and Sheikh at their flat on 28 August 2021.

Officers from the investigation team were able to corroborate the information that Suksuri had provided to the witness.

Through analysing phone data, they found in the days after Frank was last seen the couple had searched online for a cheap car to buy.

Further enquiries revealed Suksiri had taken £200 worth of Frank’s jewellery to a pawnbrokers on 2 September 2021. It is believed they used this money to buy the car.

The pair were re-arrested on 20 October 2022 and they were charged with Frank’s murder.

Over the past two years officers have made extensive efforts to find Frank’s body however he hasn’t been found.

Detectives have not been able to recover any evidence that provided an indication of where the pair had taken Frank after his death.

After Frank’s disappearance officers searched the West Reservoir near to Finsbury Park and the New River Path.

Following advice from experts at the National Crime Agency, further search activity was carried out near to the Welford Truck Stop in Northampton and Lutterworth in Leicestershire in June 2023, however there was no sign of Frank’s body.

Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, who led the investigation, said: “Today’s result was the culmination of over two years of painstaking detective work in which we did everything we possibly could to piece together Frank McKeever’s last movements and establish the motive for his murder.

“Working with colleagues from across the Met we were able to build a compelling case against Surie Suksuri and Juned Sheikh.

“Whilst today’s verdict has delivered justice for Frank McKeever, the result is bittersweet for his family. They have not been able to bury their much-missed brother and the main question of where he is remains unanswered.

“My team will continue to act on any information which may lead to the location of Frank and the charity Crimestoppers continues to offer a reward for information leading to his whereabouts.”

Anyone with information that could assist officers in finding Frank’s body are asked to contact the investigation team by calling 020 8358 0300.

Conviction details

Surie Suksiri, 31 (06.11.91), formerly of The Chestnuts, Highbury, and Juned Sheikh, 48 (09.03.75), of Haywood Street, Southwark were convicted of murder and preventing a lawful burial at The Old Bailey on Tuesday, 7 November.

They will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, 20 November.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Determination and a DNA breakthrough have helped detectives solve a 39-year-old murder case, bringing long-awaited justice for the victim’s family.

Paul Bryan, 62 (13.03.61), of no fixed address, has been found guilty of the murder of 63-year-old Roman Szalajko at an address on Seaton Close in Kennington on 7 February 1984. He was also convicted for possessing and controlling documents with intent.

Roman was stabbed to death, but a suspect was not identified during the first investigation. Fingerprints were found at the scene, however at that time there was no match on the national fingerprint database and the investigation was subsequently closed.

In 2013, a review of the case was conducted by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command. As part of those extensive enquiries, officers reviewed the finger marks and discovered a match with Paul Bryan, who had been arrested in 1997 after committing a drug-related offence.

Officers set about tracking down Bryan, but there were no traces of ID documentation or an employment footprint since the 1980s. Further enquiries led to the discovery of marriage records for a Paul Bryan and Sylvia Bryan, but this Paul Bryan had used a different date of birth – 1955.

Bryan had taken on the identity of a dead Welsh man with the same name but the 1955 date of birth, and registered a driving license and passport in Portugal using those details. Bryan travelled around Europe for decades using this identity.

Officers established that Bryan was living in Spain.

While the presence of his fingerprints at the murder scene were significant, this was not enough to seek his extradition as a suspect.

Undeterred, officers examined family trees and genealogy, and through this work they were able to trace Bryan’s mother. Although she had since died, her former husband provided a hairbrush which contained her DNA profile. The result was a very strong match with DNA from the telephone found at the scene of the crime in 1984.

Bryan was greeted by the Metropolitan Police at Stanstead Airport after returning to the UK on a flight from Spain on 19 November, 2022.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, the Senior Investigating Officer for the investigation, said: “Finding Paul Bryan has taken my team years, but thanks to advanced forensic technology, enhanced police tactics, and the unwavering dedication of my officers, the Met has brought him to justice.

“I’m pleased that Mr Szalajko’s family finally have the answers to what happened to their father and grandfather almost 40 years ago.

“My team have worked relentlessly on this investigation over many years and their professionalism and dedication has resulted in the guilty verdict today. They exemplify the finest homicide investigators we have.

“This case is an example of the Met refusing to give up on families who have lost loved ones. No matter how much time has passed, we will continue to pursue those who commit violent crime and seek justice for the families of those who have died.”