Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police have charged a man with the murder of 16-year-old Taye Faik in Edmonton.

[E] Bernard Carroll, 19 (26.12.03), of Church Street, N9, was arrested on Monday, 6 November and later charged. He is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 8 November.

Taye’s family have been informed. Our specially trained officers are supporting them.

A 16-year-old girl [A] who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail.

Three other people – [B] a 20-year-old man, [C] a 22-year-old woman and [D] a 22-year-old woman – have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All have been bailed.

Police were called at 23:27hrs on Sunday, 1 October, to a stabbing in Kendal Gardens, N18. Officers attended along with ambulance colleagues.

Tragically, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, 16-year-old Taye, who was from the area, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination on Wednesday, 4 October established the cause of death as sharp force trauma to the chest.

Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway is investigating. He said: “I’d like to thank the members of the public who have come forward to speak to us so far. We remain keen to hear from anyone who has yet to speak to police; the slightest fragment of information could prove crucial.

“Any witnesses who are yet to speak with police and anyone with information that may assist the investigation should submit this via our special online portal: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS23V75-PO1”

Anyone who wishes to provide information but would like to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or contact them online.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police Service today asked a coalition of organisers to consider postponing any demonstrations in London this Armistice Weekend.

Senior officers are concerned at criminal acts by breakaway groups intent on fuelling disorder who are attracted by these regular events.

This is despite the positive work of organisers who have supported tens of thousands of people to protest peacefully and lawfully since October 7.

We are constantly examining the intelligence ahead of the weekend to understand the issues in order to respond appropriately.

Earlier today (Monday) senior Met officers met with organisers from a range of groups to discuss our concerns.

They declined to postpone any demonstrations.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “The risk of violence and disorder linked to breakaway groups is growing.

“This is of concern ahead of a significant and busy weekend in the capital.

“Our message to organisers is clear: Please, we ask you to urgently reconsider. It is not appropriate to hold any protests in London this weekend.”

Since Oct 7, more than 160 people have been arrested for a range of offences, including racially motivated public offences, violence and assaulting police officers.

There has been an escalation in violence and disorder linked to protests, often perpetrated by breakaway groups who have no interest in demonstration causes.

Hate crime also continues to rise significantly, with one suspect using PA equipment arrested on Saturday on suspicion of making anti-Semitic comments.

More than 554 reports of anti-Semitic offences and 220 Islamophobic offences have been received between 1 October and 1 November 2023.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A former Metropolitan Police officer has been convicted following a swift investigation into messages sent on WhatsApp.

Michael Chadwell, 62, of Liss, Hampshire, appeared at City of London Magistrates’ Court on Monday 6 November, where he was found guilty of one count of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages.

Five other former officers who were in the same WhatsApp group had previously pleaded guilty to related offences.

All six retired between 2001 and 2015.

All of the officers are due to appear at the same court for sentencing on Friday, 8 December.

Commander James Harman, who leads the Met’s Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command, said:

“As soon as we were made aware of the allegations we launched an investigation which resulted in these former officers being identified, charged and convicted.

The content of these messages is appalling and criminal. These messages will disgust the public, and will also disgust my colleagues across the Metropolitan Police.

“No serving police officers were members of the group. However, given these individuals once served as police officers, we recognise that this case may reflect negatively on the Met and impact upon public confidence in policing.

“However, this case also demonstrates our determination to take all allegations of misconduct seriously, to investigate those reports thoroughly and to bring criminal charges against individuals wherever justified.”

The five other officers appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in September, where they pleaded guilty to 19 offences under Section 127(1) (a) of the Communications Act 2003.

Peter Booth, 66, of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire pleaded guilty to four counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He retired from the Met in April 2001.

Robert Lewis, 62, of Camberley, Surrey pleaded guilty to eight counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He retired from the Met in May 2015.

Anthony Elsom, 67, of Bournemouth, Dorset pleaded guilty to three counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He retired from the Met in May 2012.

Alan Hall, 65, of Stowmarket, Suffolk pleaded guilty to three counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He retired from the Met in June 2015.

Trevor Lewton, 65, of Swansea has been charged with one count of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He retired from the Met in August 2009.

They served in various parts of the Met throughout their careers but all spent time in the Diplomatic Protection Group, now known as the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian died following a collision with a bus in Wandsworth.

Officers responded to calls at 12:15hrs on Friday, 3 November of a collision involving a route 131 bus and a pedestrian on A24 Tooting High Street.

The London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance also attended and the pedestrian involved was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The pedestrian a 77-year-old woman, sadly died on Saturday, 4 November.

Officers from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are investigating the incident and appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage to contact police by calling 101 or Tweet @MetCC on ‘X’ quoting 3044/3NOV.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Six people have been charged following protest activity in central London yesterday.

Commander Karen Findlay, responsible for policing in London this week, said: “While the vast majority of people demonstrated peacefully, there were various breakaway groups whose behaviour was completely unacceptable. Our response was quick and decisive.

“Our officers have been working tirelessly to deal with the 29 individuals arrested yesterday, with six of those now charged and set to appear in court. Four of those arrested yesterday evening have been referred to their local Youth Offending Teams.

“One arrest has been made this morning for a public order offence after a man was allegedly heard making anti-Semitic comments in Parliament Square.

“We are continuing to review footage and will take positive action at every opportunity to arrest when we are alerted to crimes that are fuelled by hate.

“More than 1,300 officers were on duty on Saturday, intervening where necessary to prevent further disruption. Sadly we saw an increase in violence against them, most significantly when four officers were injured when fireworks were thrown in their direction. All bravely carried on in their duties.

“We will continue to be sharper in our response and take action on any placards being carried at protests which are inflammatory and incite racial hatred, or purport to be supporting a proscribed organisation. These are offences and any such banners or material will be assessed by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

“In addition, we received intelligence that a pamphlet purported to support Hamas was on sale at yesterday’s protest. A copy of this is being reviewed by Counter Terrorism officers.

“As in recent weeks, we have been speaking to the organisers of the pro-Palestine march to discuss yesterday’s demonstrations. We will continue to speak to them across this week as part of our ongoing planning for the weekend’s Remembrance events and will monitor and review all information available to us.

“We fully appreciate the national significance of Armistice Day. Thousands of officers will be deployed in an extensive security operation and we will use all powers and tactics at our disposal to ensure that anyone intent on disrupting it will not succeed.”

+++

The following were charged with failing to comply with a condition imposed under section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986:

• Fintan Owens 23 (01.01.00) of no fixed address was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, 5 November.
• Aisha Ennas 39 (19.06.84) of Lyons Place will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 November.

The following were charged with failing to comply with a condition imposed under section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986:

• Omar Abdelbagi 41 (07.01.82) of Wembley Park Drive, Wembley, HA9 was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, 5 November.
• Nzar Mohammed Sofi 22 (04.05.01) Parkfield Crescent, Harrow, HA2 will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 November.
• Dashiel Howarth 25 (06.09.98) of Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, E7 will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 November.

Mohammed Chowdhury 24 (21.10.99) of Sidney Street, E1 was charged with failing to comply with a direction given under section 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 November.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The video shared by the Telegraph today has brought to our attention that the chair of the London Muslim Communities Forum has expressed views in a way which does not align to the Met’s values.

We regularly engage with a whole range of community groups, many of which hold strongly opposing views. It is important that we continue to listen to opposing views. This is how we put community voices at the heart of policing London.

This instance has highlighted past language and views expressed by Attiq Malik that appear anti-Semitic and contrary with our values. As a result we will be immediately ceasing our relationship with Mr Malik whilst we investigate.

We will continue to engage with the LMCF and the full range of faith and community advisers. The insights, feedback and reach into communities across London continues to play an important role in our response.

We are already working on a new advisory group ‘charter’ that will include a shared commitment to engage through mutual respect and inclusivity.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with murdering his mother in Lambeth.

Police were called at 08:10hrs on Thursday, 2 November to reports of an injured woman at a residential address on Strathleven Road in Brixton.

Officers and London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended. At the scene, Christie Eugene, aged 64, was found injured. She was taken by LAS to a south London hospital in a critical condition.

Despite the efforts of medical staff she died at 22:05hrs. Her family has been informed.

Her son, Jason Phinn 35 (02.10.88) of Strathleven Road, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.

He appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 4 November and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 7 November.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

More than 1,300 officers were on duty today as tens of thousands of people demonstrated in London.

A total of 29 people were arrested for inciting racial hatred, other racially motivated crimes, violence and assaulting a police officer.

The use of Retrospective Facial Recognition achieved positive results. In one case, a man suspected of making anti-Semitic comments during a speech was arrested after being identified on social media.

Two further people were arrested on suspicion of breaching section 12 of the Terrorism Act after they were seen displaying a banner appearing to support a proscribed organisation.

Commander Karen Findlay, who is responsible for policing in London this week, said the arrests and overall policing posture reflected a sharpened, and proactive, intervention approach to the weekend’s events.

She said officers will continue to take positive action at every opportunity and particularly where allegations of hate crime are made.

She said: “The vast majority of people demonstrated peacefully during an extremely busy day in central London, with protests in a number of locations requiring a policing presence.

“It is disappointing that various splinter groups were again responsible for behaviour which has no place in London and we are determined to deal with this robustly. Fireworks were directed towards officers and four officers were injured.

“Today, we dealt with breakaway groups from the main protest quickly. Officers intervened to prevent further disruption, using the full range of powers at their disposal. This effective intervention ensured Londoners were able to go about their business.

“I would like to say thank you to all the officers on duty today, including the support we had from a number of colleagues on mutual aid from other forces, all of whom worked tirelessly throughout a long day.”

Breakdown of arrests

Nine people for public order offences, including two that were racially aggravated

Two people were arrested on suspicion of breaching section 12 of the Terrorism Act – this is in relation to the wording of a banner

Three people were arrested for assaulting a police officer.

One person was arrested for inciting racial hatred.

One person was arrested for causing actual bodily harm and a public order offence.

One person was arrested for affray, a public order offence and possession of cannabis.

One person was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder

One person was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon

10 people were arrested for breaching a dispersal order

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Two women who were arrested on suspicion of a terrorism offence following a public appeal for information have been charged.

The charge relates to activity at a protest in Whitehall on Saturday, 14 October.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We have worked swiftly and decisively to investigate this matter and that has led to these two women being charged with terrorism offences only a week after issuing our public appeal.

“We know that the public are very concerned about some people using the veil of legitimate protest to carry out criminal or even terrorist activity and we have shown that we will do everything we can to identify where that happens and that we will seek to bring those who may be responsible to face justice.”

Heba Alhayek, 29 (14.08.94), and Pauline Ankunda, 26 (19.06.97), both of south London, were both charged on Friday, 3 November with the following offence:

On 14 October, in a public place, namely Whitehall, carried or displayed an article, namely an image displaying a paraglider, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that she is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, contrary to section 13(1) Terrorism Act 2000.

On Friday 27 October, officers issued an image appeal to identify three women sought by detectives as part of an investigation linked to a pro-Palestine protest on 14 October.

Two women were arrested on Monday, 30 October. They were both released on bail until Friday 3 November, and subsequently charged with the above offence upon their return.

The charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Both women have been released on bail and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 November.

Officers continue to seek the public’s help to identify the third woman, described as black, wearing a red coat and with a dark scarf containing a flower pattern and baggy jeans.

As part of a separate ongoing investigation, officers are also still asking for the public’s help 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.

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 added: “My officers are working night and day with our colleagues across the country to investigate suspected terrorism offences committed in the real world and online.

“The public’s support is vital to us and I’m grateful to everyone who has reported information to us already and I urge anyone who has information about the man and woman we are still seeking to get in touch. Equally, should the people in the pictures recognise themselves, then I also urge them to come forward 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

We are sharpening our approach to those who use peaceful protest as a cover to commit offences as hate crime continues to rise in London.

Senior officers are concerned at rising levels of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, as well as the number of referrals of extremist and hateful material online.

In particular, those who cynically push the boundaries of what is legal can expect a robust response from officers.

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday we will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to those who commit hate crime and criminal disruption.

We are using sharper interventions to make arrests in big crowds, including analysing social media and employing retrospective facial recognition.

Officers continue to provide reassurance patrols and have now made more than 6,500 visits to vulnerable premises, including 928 schools and 4,769 faith premises.

Commander Karen Findlay, who is responsible for policing in London this week, said: “As we enter the fourth weekend of protest it is only right we continue to review and refine our policing approach.

“I have heard first hand from faith leaders and others of the devastating impact of recent events for Londoners.

“Hate crime sadly continues to rise. This will not be tolerated.

“My message to our officers is clear – we will be taking positive action at every opportunity when we are alerted to crimes, particularly those which are inflammatory and fuelled by hate.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure a fast, timely response and the necessary intervention.”

A total of 133 people have been arrested for crimes including racially aggravated public order offences, assaulting police and criminal damage since October 7.

In addition, three women have been held for terrorism offences, two after being seen wearing images of paragliders and a third suspected of supporting Hamas online.

Of the 133 arrested, 26 people have been charged, 14 for allegations of anti-Semitism and six for allegations of Islamophobia.

The others are charged with faith hate, criminal damage and other matters.

Following our appeal to help us identify 12 people for racially aggravated public order offences and affray five people have been identified.

They have been interviewed under caution yesterday. Our investigation into the other seven, remains ongoing and we ask for the public to help us identify them.

Since 7 October, the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has received more than 1,800 public referrals about potential online terrorist or criminal activity relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Every referral is triaged and so far there are more than 350 cases of interest requiring further assessment and this process is ongoing.

A small number of investigations have been opened by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and a further 44 matters are being passed to other policing colleagues in the Met, or nationally.

This work has led to the arrest of a woman by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command as part of an investigation into online support of proscribed terrorist group Hamas.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Supporting any proscribed terrorist groups here in the UK – whether it be online or in the real world – is a serious offence.

“We will look to investigate and take action where we find evidence of people doing this.

“We’re receiving hundreds of referrals of potential criminal and terrorist activity online every week, and I thank the public for doing this. These reports are taken seriously and where we identify potential terrorist activity, we will take action.”

Notes to editors:

Details on counter terrorism arrest

On 17 October, a public referral was made into the CTIRU, highlighting posts linked to a social media account. The posts were assessed as potentially being in breach of terrorism legislation and further investigated.

Further enquiries were carried out to identify the user behind the account, which led officers to arresting a 22-year-old woman from northwest London on Thursday 2 November.

She was arrested on suspicion of expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, contrary to section 12(1a) of the Terrorism Act 2000.

She was taken to a west London police station and interviewed by detectives before being released on bail to a date in early February 2024 pending further enquiries.

Hate crime update

Over the past month we have seen a significant rise in the number of hate crime offences being reported across London. Between 1 October and 1 November 2023, we received:

554 reports of anti-Semitic offences and 657 reports of anti-Semitic incidents.

This compares with 44 offences and 49 incidents in the same period in 2022.

We received reports relating to 220 Islamophobic offences and 230 Islamophobic incidents.

This compares with 78 offences and 71 incidents in the same period last year.

We continue to provide reassurance patrols and we have now made more than 6,500 visits to vulnerable premises, including 928 schools and 4,769 faith premises.