Officers have arrested a man as part of an investigation into an allegation of rape at a venue in Soho.
The investigation, which is led by detectives from the Central West Public Protection Team, was launched following reports of a woman being raped inside The Groucho Club, in Dean Street, on Wednesday, 13 November. The woman is being supported by specialist officers.
On the evening of Saturday, 30 November, officers arrested a 34-year-old man at an address in Hertfordshire on suspicion of rape. He remains in custody.
On Tuesday, 26 November, a Westminster Council licensing hearing ruled that the licence for The Groucho Club should be suspended for up to 28 days until a full hearing can take place. The initial hearing was held following an application by the Met which raised concerns that the venue had breached licensing conditions and had been the scene of the serious criminal offence set out above.
At this stage, there is no suggestion that employees of the venue were involved in the commission of the offence.
A policing operation will take place on Sunday, 1 December covering a march organised by the Kurdish community in response to the arrest of seven people on Wednesday, 27 November on suspicions of terrorism offences linked to the PKK.
Each event requires a substantial amount of planning in the context of various events and day-to-day business happening across the capital.
The Met’s goal is to protect the lawful right to protest while minimising the impact of these events on those who live, work and visit London.
Ahead of the march there has been negotiation and engagement with event organisers. This weekend has been busy and is expected to be one of the busiest shopping weeks ahead of Christmas – so all conditions are considered in this context to allow people intending to visit central London and businesses to operate without serious disruption.
Chief Superintendent Joe McDonald, who is leading the policing operation, said:
“We have spoken with the organisers of the protest to agree a route for and assembly point, as well as start and finish, to seek to minimise disruption and balance the right to protest.
“We understand the strength of feeling from the Kurdish community and want to take this opportunity to remind anyone taking part in the march that the Partiya Karkeren Kurdistani (PKK) is proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.
“Officers will be highly visible along the protest route and wider area to ensure the events take place safely and will deal with any offences.”
The Kurdish community will assembly before the protest on the west side of Trafalgar Square at 13:00 hrs until 14:15 hrs when the procession will start.
The procession will move from Trafalgar Square, down Northumberland Avenue, along Victoria Embankment, turning into Parliament Square and onto Whitehall.
The protest will assembly on Whitehall in the designated area and speeches must finish at 16:30 hrs and the assembly must conclude by 17:00 hrs.
Conditions
The Public Order Act gives the police the power to impose conditions on a procession or assembly of two or more people who are deemed to have a common purpose.
Conditions can be imposed either in advance of an event or by the senior officer present during an event.
On Sunday, 1 December the following conditions will be in place relating to the Kurdish community event:
Assembly – Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986
The Kurdish community assembly in preparation for the planned procession must be held within the designated area (the red shaded area on Map 1) on Trafalgar Square west side and assembly participants must remain within that area.
The assembly must not commence before 1.00pm and participants must not enter the designated area before that time.
Assembly participants must remain within the designated area until such time as the procession commences, which must be by 2.15pm.
Procession – Section 12(3) Public Order Act 1986
Any person participating in the Kurdish community protest must not deviate from the prescribed route on the attached map (map 2).
The Kurdish community procession must commence by 2.15pm.
Post-procession assembly – Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986
Any person participating in the Kurdish community protest post procession assembly must remain within the designated area (the red shaded area on map 3)
The speeches must finish at 4.30pm and the assembly must conclude by 5.00pm.
Warning regarding expressing support for proscribed organisations
London is global city and with people joining events from across the country and around the world it is important to reiterate that expressing support for a proscribed organisation in the UK is a criminal offence.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT), the Home Secretary may proscribe an organisation if they believe it is concerned in terrorism and it is proportionate to do so.
Proscription makes it a criminal offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organisation through chanting, wearing clothing or display articles such as flags, signs or logos.
Partiya Karkeren Kurdistani (PKK) – which translates as the Kurdistan Worker’s Party – is proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.
PKK has been proscribed since 2001.
You can read more about proscribed terrorist groups or organisations on the UK Government Website.
It is a criminal offence to:
belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas (Section 11 TACT)
invite support for a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT)
express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT)
arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to (Section 12(2) TACT)
wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation (Section 13 TACT)
publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances (Section 13(1A) TACT)
Officers policing events will exercise their powers with proportionality and necessity to deal with any offences, being mindful of people’s rights to assemble and express their opinions, and will continue to support those who wish to do so lawfully.
If you have any concerns during an event speak to a police officer or event steward.
If you see material supporting terrorism online report it – visit www.gov.uk/ACT
You can also report suspicious activity by contacting the police in confidence on 0800 789 321
In an emergency, or if you need urgent police assistance, you should always dial 999.
Police are concerned for the welfare of a 14-year old girl who is missing from her home in West Drayton.
Gracie Drake was last seen at home by her grandmother on the morning of Friday, 29 November. Officers understand that Gracie then spoke to her grandmother at 0945 hours to say that she would be visiting her grandmother at work but did not turn up.
A friend later heard from Gracie at 2100 hours via snapchat. The friend reported to officers that she understood that Gracie may be in the company of a boy called Harry on a train to Kent.
Gracie may have connections to Frank Park in Bexleyheath.
Officers are concerned about Gracie’s connection to an older male who is alleged to have made threats toward her.
Gracie is 5ft 5in in height. She last seen wearing black flared trousers, a black t-shirt with a white rim around the collar, a black puffer jacket with black fur around the hood, and black Nike trainers. She has very long dark brown hair and blue eyes.
Enquiries are ongoing to locate Gracie. This includes analysis of available CCTV.
Anyone who may have seen Gracie or who has information about her whereabouts or the people with her is urged to call 101 and quote REF 01/1143888
A murder investigation has been launched by the Met following the death of a woman at an address on Greenland Quay, SE16 on Friday, 29 November.
Met officers were called shortly before 15:00hrs to reports of a woman who had been stabbed inside an address.
Officers supported the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance and the woman was taken to hospital where she sadly died.
A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, who is leading the investigation, said: “We received multiple calls from members of the public close to the scene with concerns for the victim yesterday afternoon. Officers together with the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance responded quickly but sadly, the woman in her 60s died in hospital yesterday evening.
“Our Specialist Crime Command are continuing enquiries today and at this stage, we believe that this was an isolated incident with the man and woman known to each other.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or post @MetCC ref CAD 4235/29November.
To remain 100% anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police are concerned for the welfare of a 12-year-old girl who is missing from home in Bexleyheath.
Isabelle Lindsay-Nandra, known as Bella, was last seen at 1530 hours on Tuesday, 26 November, when she left school.
Officers believe that she caught a bus to Woolwich and then travelled to King George V DLR station, arriving at 2200 hours.
She has been missing before, but never for this period of time.
She may be in the company of a man, described as Black, in his 20s with a small beard. He may be called Marshall or another name beginning with M.
She may also have been in the company of another man, described as South Asian, who had a physical fight with the other man.
Isabelle is 5ft 3ins in height. She was wearing school uniform with a black Canada goose coat and blue suede boots with bows on the back.
Enquiries are ongoing to identify the men and locate Isabelle. This includes analysis of available CCTV.
Anyone who may have seen Isabelle or who has information about her whereabouts or the people with her is urged to call 101 and quote REF 01/1130151/24.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision in Battersea.
Police were called at about 02:30hrs on Thursday, 1 August to reports of an injured woman in the road at Silverthorne Road, SW8.
Officers and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended. At the scene, they found 23-year-old Carolina Ramirez Jimenez – who is believed to have been the pillion passenger on a Yamaha motorbike – with a serious head injury.
She was taken by LAS to a south London hospital where sadly, despite the efforts of medical staff, she died. Her family was informed and continue to be supported by officers.
Officers could not find any vehicles that may have been involved in the incident at the scene, but have been carrying out a range of further enquiries since it happened.
Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating. They would like to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen the motorbike or a dark coloured Range Rover.
Detectives would also like to hear from anyone who may have dash cam footage.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8543 5157 or via 101 quoting CAD 710/01Aug.
Two men, aged 23 and 34 years old, have subsequently been arrested on suspicion of motoring offences including causing death by dangerous driving. They have been bailed pending further enquiries.
A youth has been convicted of killing 17-year-old Nathan Bawuah in Hackney.
The 17-year-old male, who cannot be named due to his age, was found guilty of manslaughter at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 29 November.
He had already pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.
Nathan was fatally stabbed just before 23:00hrs in Hackney Road, E2 on Saturday, 17 February.
Officers and London Ambulance Service rushed to his aid, but despite their efforts, he sadly died at the scene. His family has subsequently been supported by specialist officers.
Detectives launched an investigation, including forensic examination and analysis of all available CCTV. The latter proved significant, with detectives identifying the 17-year-old male riding to the scene on his bike, getting into a confrontation with the victim, producing a large machete and stabbing him to the chest.
The youth answered ‘no comment’ to all police questions, but provided a prepared statement claiming self-defence. He was charged on 21 February with Nathan’s murder.
Following his conviction for manslaughter and possession of the machete, he will be sentenced on 24 January 2025 at Inner London Crown Court.
Detectives investigating a sexual assault in Merton have released an E-fit of a male they need to identify and speak with.
Police were called at about 14:20hrs on Sunday, 20 October by a woman who had been assaulted in Morden Recreation Park.
The woman was with her family, including two young children, when she was approached by the suspect who is described as in his late teens. He spoke briefly to her before assaulting her.
The suspect was around 6ft tall and of skinny build, wearing a burgundy hoodie with white writing on it, blue tracksuit trousers and black trainers. He ran away in the direction of Canterbury Road.
Detective Constable Tom Green, from the local policing team, said: “We know this assault will cause a lot of worry in the local community, especially as this woman was playing with her children at the time.
“I would ask you to take a close look at the E-fit. Do you recognise him, or the clothing that he was wearing? It is vital that we identify him.
“If you have any concerns, please speak with officers.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 reference CAD 3851/20Oct. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A man has been jailed for burgling the house of a retired nurse and killing her during a violent confrontation.
Hugo Da Silva Pires, 29 (08.12.94), of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath, was sentenced at the Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 25 November to a total of 12 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter, burglary and fraud.
He pleaded guilty at the same court on 13 February.
The court heard how Da Silva Pires burgled the Croydon home of 76-year-old Nelly Akomah on 20 June 2023. He knew she lived alone as he had recently fitted a kitchen for her and even attended the address earlier that day to help Nelly register some kitchen appliances.
During the burglary he violently attacked Nelly which resulted in her falling down the stairs and subsequently dying. Da Silva Pires then went on to use Nelly’s bank card that he had stolen to buy smartphones, children’s bedding and power tools.
Detectives were able to quickly identify Da Silva Pires after CCTV caught him using Nelly’s bank card. His DNA was also found under her fingernails as she tried to fight back.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn,from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “The circumstances of Nelly’s death are truly devastating. Nelly was well loved and highly respected in her community, she was a retired nurse and a treasurer for Tooting Methodist Church. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, leader and friend to many, and she is dearly missed by all who knew her.
“Da Silva Pires crept into Nelly’s home at night, whilst he knew she was upstairs and awake. He intended on stealing from her at any cost. Nelly was an elderly woman of small stature, who had only ever showed him kindness and trust.
“Instead of fleeing when he was discovered by Nelly, he violently confronted her which resulted in her falling down the stairs and sadly dying. Da Silva Pires didn’t try to help Nelly, he instead walked over her lifeless body on the stairs and left the house with her handbag.
“Da Silva Pires is an abhorrent man, whose greed and desire to escape responsibility for his actions, resulted in him killing Nelly.”
In a statement, Nelly’s family said: “The past 17 months have been an unimaginable ordeal for us. We have endured grief, heartbreak, and the long process of seeking justice.
“We want to thank the police (in particular our Family Liaison Officer and case officer) and everyone who worked so hard to ensure that Nelly’s voice was heard.
“No punishment can ever bring our mother, grandmother, sister, friend and mentor Nelly back, or fill the void her absence has left in our lives.
“We will forever cherish our memories with the matriarch of our family and community, whose life was taken far too soon. Nelly found joy in serving and helping those around her. A church leader with a 30 plus year nursing career, she cherished her life, her faith and her family and friends.
“Nelly brought compassion and care to everyone she came across in her life and was looking forward to celebrating her 77th birthday with more energy and vivacity than ever.
“Hugo Da Silva Pires is a heartless individual. He deliberately preyed on an elderly woman who trusted him in her home as a tradesman. The manslaughter conviction can never quantify the severity of this crime, and the lasting impact that Da Silva Pires’ callous motivations will have on the many, many people who loved Nelly.
“As we move forward, we ask for privacy as we can finally grieve and try to rebuild our lives. We hope that this sentencing serves as a message that such senseless violence and greed has no place in our society.”
Da Silva Pires tried to cover his tracks. He cut the wires to the CCTV system installed at the address before he entered so he would not be captured on the footage. He entered a shipping address in the Azores for the items he bought on Nelly’s bank card – although he put an address of Thornton Heath for an iPhone he attempted to buy. He eventually discarded the bank cards in Clapham Junction Train Station.
He also got rid of his mobile phone, which his girlfriend Catiana Feliciano, helped him to do.
The investigation team quickly identified Da Silva Pires and his girlfriend and tracked them to Stanstead Airport, arresting them before they could flee the country.
At the time of his arrest Da Silva Pires had scratches to his face and neck. His DNA was found under Nelly’s fingernails.
Da Silva Pires was initially identified after images were obtained of people using Nelly’s bank card. This along with information regarding a recent kitchen renovation helped officers identify Da Silva Pires and then Feliciano.
Da Silva Pires was convicted and sentenced as above.
His girlfriend, Catiana Feliciano, 33 (31.07.91), of Fernham Road, Thornton Heath, pleaded guilty to fraud and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in January 2024.
Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners have partnered with ITN Business to create a new programme that will feature interviews with senior leaders in policing.
The policing landscape has never changed as fast and as much as it has today, with crime and the needs of the community becoming more and more complex and public confidence at a low. But it’s a sector that is determined to build back trust, delivering a police service that is both effective and inclusive, ensuring that communities throughout the UK, remain safe.
The NPCC Policing Vision 2030 outlines that to remain fit for the future, policing must adapt to the changing nature of crime and have the right tools to do so, whilst becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable. Traditional crime is at the lowest it’s been since records began – we are a safer nation than we have ever been, and collaboration is at the heart of this.
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