Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Events in central London this evening – following the attack in Israel and the escalation of conflict along the border with Gaza in recent days – have now concluded, with three arrests and further live arrest enquiries under way.

Londoners have seen more police officers on the streets across the capital throughout the day to reassure and protect the public with an enhanced visible presence particularly in London’s Jewish communities.

Ahead of the protests and vigils we liaised with the organisers to ensure our policing plan was appropriate – balancing the right to lawful protest against any disruption to Londoners, while ensuring all communities are supported and reassured.

UK policing has an obligation to uphold the right to protest. However we are clear that where any activity crosses into criminality we will, and have, taken action

Three arrests have been made for assault on an emergency worker, racially-motivated criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. In addition, further active arrest enquiries are underway.

During the protests in Kensington High Street a number of individuals were observed engaging in criminal damage of a building. We have gathered evidence and active enquiries are under way to identity, locate and arrests those suspected of being involved.

We are aware of concerns being raised about flags and other symbols being displayed in a way that could lead to people feeling threatened. Specialist officers reviewed these and determined they were not flags of proscribed organisations. The waving of a particular flag is not, in itself, a specific criminal offence unless it relates to a proscribed organisation. At present, no offences were identified.

Londoners will continue to see officers on the streets, in our communities across London in the days to come following days to reassure and protect. We have zero tolerance for any hate crimes. Anyone with concerns, or who has witnessed any offences should speak to an officer or contact police online, via 101 or call 999 in an emergency.

Arrests details

At approximately 19.40hrs, British Transport Police officers arrested a 15-year-old male on Kensington High Street, in the vicinity of High Street Kensington Underground Station on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. He has been taken to a central London police station.

At approximately 20.00hrs a 70-year-old man was arrested in Kensington area on suspicion of a racially motivated criminal damage. He has been taken to a central London police station.

At approximately 21.00hrs, a 29-year-old man was arrested in Oxford Street on suspicion on causing actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He has been taken to a central London police station.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A Met investigation has resulted in a man who murdered his sister-in-law being jailed for at least 28 years.

Nicolae Virtosu, 49 (19.12.73) of Princes Road, Ilford, appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday, 9 October where he was sentenced for the murder of Svetlana Mihalachi.

At the same court, on 21 July, he had been convicted of murder and making a threat to kill.

During trial the court heard how Virtosu was the victim’s brother-in-law. Svetlana, her husband, her 12-year-old son and Virtosu all lived together at their home in Ilford.

The relationship between 53-year-old Svetlana and Virtosu was not an easy one – they often argued about chores around the house, noise and money.

Eventually Svetlana made it clear that she wanted Virtosu to move out, but he refused.

Over time the relationship deteriorated further, with Virtosu continuing to threaten Svetlana – she began to fear for her life.

In desperation she reported Virtosu, who was in the UK illegally, to the Home Office.

On 3 March 2021, Svetlana called police asking for Virtosu to be removed from the house, however she was scared of Virtosu and afraid of the implications of making a statement. Officers told her they would report Virtosu to immigration services.

At 14:08hrs on 9 April 2021, police were called by the London Ambulance Service following reports that a woman had been assaulted at the house in Princes Road.

Officers attended and found Svetlana with serious head injuries caused by blows to the head with a hatchet. The hatchet was found at the scene. Virtosu’s finger prints were found on the handle.

CCTV enquiries in the area showed that Virtosu had left the house at 12:02hrs when he was seen walking quickly away along Princes Road. As he walked away from the address he made a call to the Svetlana’s husband, but when the call wasn’t picked up Virtosu sent a text message telling him that his wife was dead.

When Svetlana’s husband returned home he found her lying on the sofa with serious head and facial injuries. Officers arrived and gave first aid. They were soon joined by paramedics, who conducted emergency procedures at the scene before taking her to the Royal London Hospital where she underwent surgery and was placed in an induced coma on life support.

Despite all those efforts, her condition deteriorated and at 00:06hrs on 12 May 2021 Svetlana sadly died.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death to have been multi- organ failure resulting from head injuries and loss of blood.

While emergency services were working to save Svetlana, the defendant returned to the address and was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Throughout the trial Virtosu claimed to have been ‘hearing voices’ and suffering a psychotic disorder. He claimed that Svetlana had appeared to him as having devil-like shining red eyes to support a defence of diminished responsibility, but he did not convince the jury.

Detective Constable Rosamund Ellis, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “In the months and weeks leading to her death, Svetlana Mihalachi had lived with the threat of violence from Virtosu ever present. Those threats eventually became a physical attack so ferocious that they ended her life.

“Virtosu tried hard to give the impression that he wasn’t responsible for his actions due to a mental health disorder, but his actions were not the result of delusions, they were the actions of an angry violent man who launched a murderous attack on Svetlana as he had threatened to do on so many occasions.

“She was a wife and a mother and the depth of loss felt by her loved ones is immeasurable. My thoughts are with them today.”

Virtosu was found not guilty of a second count of making a threat to kill.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

The victim of a fatal shooting in Battersea has been named by police as detectives continue to appeal for information.

Police were called at about 21:50hrs on Thursday, 5 October to reports of gunshots heard on Shuttleworth Road, SW11.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended.

At the scene, they found 21-year-old Rico Andrews injured and immediately provided emergency first aid, but despite their efforts he died at the scene.

His next of kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command who leads the investigation said:

“This is a tragic incident where a young man has lost his life whilst standing on a street in Battersea. Our thoughts are with his family and friends as they continue to struggle with this terrible news.

“Detectives are working at pace to gather as much information as possible and I would ask anyone who was in the area and saw events unfold, or anyone who has captured this incident on phone or doorbell footage, to contact police immediately.”

At this early stage there have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 8285/05OCT

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 found guilty of the non-recent rape of a child in Tower Hamlets.

Jalal Hossain, 40 (01.01.84), who also used the alias, Abdul Sottar (01.07.83), of Tower Hamlets appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 6 October where he was found guilty of two counts of oral rape of a child under the age of 13.  

The court heard how Hossain knew the girl and groomed her over the course of several visits to various addresses in Tower Hamlets.

In 2012 Hossain raped and sexually assaulted the girl on two occasions.

In 2016 the girl disclosed the abuse to a family member, who made a report to police.

Officers undertook a painstaking investigation which involved gathering evidence and witness statements from over ten years previously.

Hossain was wanted for a number of years but could not be located, as he attempted to evade law enforcement by using a different identity.

The breakthrough came when officers were able to identify a phone number that he was using. They were then able to launch a fast-paced manhunt to find him.

Hossain was arrested on Thursday, 23 March in Kensington, but refused to answer questions about the allegation during his interview. He also denied his real identity and knowing the victim-survivor.

The victim and another witness attended ID procedures in 2023 after he was arrested and he was positively ID’d despite neither witness seeing him for over 10 years.

He was charged in police custody on Friday, 24 March.

Detective Constable Emma Price of the Metropolitan Police’s Central Specialist Crime team, said: “Hossain exploited and took advantage of a vulnerable child and abused the position of trust he had been given. She showed commendable bravery in providing evidence to police and at the trial. I hope that this conviction will bring her a small measure of comfort and a sense that justice has been done.

“We will continue to support her and I hope her actions will encourage any other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward. We are committed to fighting violence against women and girls and we want to help you get the support you so rightly deserve.”

Hossain will be sentenced on Thursday, 7 December at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape or you have information about an offender, contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency – there are specially trained officers who will listen and investigate where needed.

Further information, including details of agencies and charities that can offer support can be found on our website.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A serving officer is due to appear in court charged with sexual assault.

Police Constable Rachel Bright attached to the South West Command Unit, is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 10 October.

It follows an incident that is alleged to have taken place while the officer was off duty in December 2022, involving a woman known to her.

She was charged via postal charge requisition in mid-September.

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards are aware.

Sergeant Bright is suspended from duty.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Three men have appeared in court charged with offences linked to the use of counterfeit currency.

Martin Mongan, aged 22, and Michael Mongan, aged 18, both from Staines, together with Thomas McDonagh, aged 26, of High Wycombe appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 6 October charged with:

– to pass as genuine a thing knowing it was a counterfeit of a currency note (Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981);
– conceal / disguise / convert / transfer / remove criminal property (Money Laundering legislation – Proceeds of Crime Act 2002);
– conspire to have custody / control a thing knowing it was a counterfeit currency note with intent. (Criminal Law Act 1977).

All three were arrested on Wednesday, 4 October at addresses in Staines in Surrey and High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

An investigation was launched after a report was made that counterfeit bank notes had been used at Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush on Monday, 29 May.

Officers established that this formed part of a wider network where counterfeit bank notes had been used throughout the country, including across north-west London.

An investigation was undertaken alongside Greater Manchester Police and the National Counterfeit Currency Unit (UKNCO), part of the National Crime Agency.

Chief Inspector Thomas Orchard, from the local policing team in Hammersmith & Fulham, said: “This investigation came to our attention due to our close working relationship with Westfield in Shepherds Bush – what started as a relatively low-level, local fraud offence has developed into a nationwide police enquiry.

“Ahead of National Business Crime Week later this month, this is a timely reminder to those in the retail trade to remain vigilant and the benefits or reporting any suspicious activity to police immediately so we have the best chance of taking positive action.

Martin Mongan and McDonagh were remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 3 November.

Michael Mongan was released on bail to the same court date.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

More than 420 criminals have been jailed and three tones of illegal drugs seized in the three-and-a-half years since the launch of the Met’s largest ever operation targeting members of organised crime groups.

Op Eternal is the name for the ongoing Met-led investigations into criminals who use encrypted EncroChat devices to organise multi-kilo drug deals, launder money, and orchestrate violence.

The operation has disrupted the running of organised crime groups and seen prosecutions brought against those criminals who play a role in getting illegal drugs and firearms into the hands of London gang members and dealers, which leads to violence in London’s communities.

Op Eternal led the way in using precise, data-led policing to target those criminals causing the most harm in London – a commitment made in the Met’s A New Met for London plan.

The success of Operation Eternal has led to:

– 942 arrests – on average, more than one Op Eternal arrest every two days

– 784 of those people have been charged with a range of offences – predominantly drugs possession with intent/supply/conspiracy to supply, but also firearms, money laundering, and violence offences.

– 426 people convicted (one every three days, on average), for a grand total of 3,722 years (average of more than eight-and-a-half years for each person).

– More than £19 million in cash has been seized.

– More than three tonnes of Class A and B drugs seized.

– 49 guns, and 755 pieces of ammunition seized.

Londoners tell us loud and clear that they want to see a stop to the violence, crime and abuse connected to drugs, guns and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

Throughout this operation, specialist teams have worked closely with frontline colleagues to get results that will help communities thrive.

Commander Paul Brogden, who leads the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Op Eternal is the most significant operation targeting organised crime figures in the Met’s history.

“The suspects in these investigations are dangerous criminals, many of whom play a key role in supplying kilos of drugs to street gangs whose activities blight and cause misery in communities across London.

“Every dangerous criminal jailed, and every gun and amount of drugs taken off the street as part of Op Eternal has served to make neighbourhoods in and around the capital safer.”

Operation Eternal gave police unique access to senior members of organised criminal networks who were either previously operating out of reach of police, or the extent of their offending was not known.

Some of these figures led lavish lifestyles, live in multi-million pound properties and drive top-of-the-range cars. And many are now serving jail sentences.

Commander Brogden added: “Op Eternal investigations have been supported by officers and staff from all corners of the Met, and it is testament to their skill and dedication that this operation has been so successful.

“Our Op Eternal caseload remains significant, and many more cases are being progressed behind the scenes.

“We still have specialist teams working to attribute EncroChat handles to people; we are still making arrests regularly; and we still have more to do.

“Our message to criminals who operated on EncroChat and haven’t yet been visited by police is clear; we won’t stop until we have investigated all EncroChat handles, and it is only a matter of time before we knock on your door and arrest you.”

Operation Eternal was launched in March 2020 after EncroChat data was accessed by French law enforcement, and the National Crime Agency (NCA) passed this data – relating to hundreds of London-based EncroChat handles – to the Met.

Our partners play a vital role in bringing these offenders to justice – the NCA and European law enforcement partners, with whom we work closely on investigations; and the Crown Prosecution Service, who take on the task of getting these complex cases ready for trial. Intelligence from members of the public also remains vitally important in our fight against crime.

The NCA’s operation is called Operation Venetic.

Craig Turner, NCA Deputy Director of Investigations, said: “Operation Venetic has resulted in remarkable achievements across UK law enforcement.

“We are really proud to have led the operation in what was a watershed moment in the fight against serious and organised crime.

“The infiltration of EncroChat provided a gold mine of intelligence which through officers’ monumental efforts, was transformed into evidence enabling thousands of arrests to happen. There has been nothing like it.

“The NCA and partners in policing do everything possible to protect the public from the most dangerous organised criminals in the UK and beyond.”

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

In light of the ongoing conflict in Israel and the border with Gaza, Londoners will see more police officers on the streets across the Capital to reassure and protect communities.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, in charge of policing London today, said: “We are aware that this conflict has a far reaching impact on communities around the world, and we extend our full support to those affected in London.

“We are listening and working with communities and partners to ensure people feel safe and protected. We ask that members of the public report anything concerning, such as threatening behaviour.

“We are aware that a number of demonstrations and protests are planned. We have spoken to the organisers and we expect these will pass off peacefully. However, we will take a zero tolerance approach to any activity which crosses the lines into criminality.”

In the last 24 hours, a small number of low level public order incidents in different parts of London have been reported and highlighted on social media. Police attended all of the incidents and were able to resolve them without arrests being made.

There are a number of protests being planned, including a Stop The War protest due to be held tomorrow, Monday, 9 October, in central London. We are in liaison with the organisers of these protests and an appropriate policing plan is in place that balances the right to lawful protest against any disruption to Londoners.

While officers will be there primarily to ensure protests pass off peacefully, we will make arrests if it is suspected that a criminal offence has been committed.

As part of our increased policing patrols across key areas of London, we have been in touch with synagogues, mosques, and businesses to discuss their concerns and provide them with safety advice.

Anyone with concerns, or who has witnessed any offences, should contact police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fail-to-stop collision on the M25 in Enfield which resulted in the deaths of two horses.

Police were called at about 08:50hrs on Saturday, 7 October to between junctions 24 and 25 following reports that a car – believed to be a dark coloured VW Touran – had collided with a horse box being towed by a van.

The horse box, which was carrying two five-month-old foals, overturned. The driver of the car left the scene.

One of the horses was killed in the collision and the other had to be put down due to injuries it had sustained.

Officers 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 with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 1969/07Oct.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers are appealing for the public’s help to identify a man following a serious assault at a pub in Camden.

At around 16:00hrs on Monday, 31 July a man, aged in his 40s, was punched by another man at The Old Oak pub in Mansfield Road.

The victim was knocked unconscious and was taken to hospital where he required surgery on multiple fractures to his jaw.

The incident was reported to police on Tuesday, 1 August and an investigation was launched.

Detectives from the local policing team in Camden have carried out a number of enquiries, including speaking to the victim and viewing CCTV from the pub.

They are now releasing an image of a man they want to speak to and ask anyone with information that could help the investigation to get in touch.

Call 101 quoting CAD 7159/01Aug or report information online.

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