Category: United Kingdom

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Met detectives have named a man they wish to urgently speak with following a fatal road traffic collision in Romford last week.

Police were called to the A12 – Whalebone Lane, Romford – on Sunday 19, July at 21:20hrs following reports of a collision involving a car and a motorbike. Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service, London’s Air Ambulance and London Fire Brigade.

Paramedics treated a 28-year-old man, the motorcyclist, but despite their best efforts he sadly died at the scene. His next-of-kin continue to be supported by specialist officers.

The driver of the car fled the scene on foot, in the direction of Chadwell Heath.

Following several lines of enquiry, police would now like to speak with 45-year-old Lee Culleton. Culleton is described as being approximately 5”9’-5”10’ in height, with a medium to large build. He is known to frequent Canvey Island, Essex.

Detective Inspector Mark Braithwaite, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are keen to speak with Mr Culleton in connection with this incident, which has resulted in a man tragically losing his life.

“If any members of the public see Culleton, we strongly advise you not to approach him and to call 999 as soon as possible.”

Detectives ask that any sightings or information about Lee Culleton are reported by calling 999 citing reference CAD 7142/19JUL.

Anonymous reports can be submitted via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Three men who carried out a coordinated firearms attack on a man sitting in his car in a residential street have been jailed following a fast-paced Met Police investigation.

The victim, a man in his 30s, was ambushed while he was standing beside his parked car in New Addington one evening in May 2025.

A black saloon car pulled alongside him before one of the passengers got out and fired two shots at close range.

The victim had managed to jump into the driver’s seat of his car moments before the attack.

The first shot smashed through the windscreen and narrowly missed him. The gunman then ran around the victim’s car before firing a second shot through the driver’s side window, striking him in the chest.

Despite suffering serious injuries, the victim survived and has since recovered.

The following men were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, 23 July:

Tevin Nzita, 29 (15.07.95), of Warbank Crescent, Croydon was sentenced to 25 years’ custodial

Anthony Da Sousa, 30 (30.01.95), of Station Approach, Coulsdon was sentenced to 15 years’ custodial

Christopher Da Sousa, 27 (30.01.99), of Mickleham Way, Croydon was sentenced to 4 years’ custodial

Detective Constable John Davis, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, who led the investigation, said:

“This was an incredibly dangerous attack carried out in a residential street where innocent members of the public could easily have been caught in the crossfire.

“The offenders acted together to locate the victim, track his movements and carry out a planned shooting using a sawn-off shotgun capable of killing. Their actions showed a complete disregard for human life.

“Our investigation combined CCTV enquiries, forensic evidence, mobile phone analysis and eyewitness accounts to build an overwhelming case that proved the role each man played.

“The Met remains relentless in targeting those involved in gun crime. Since 2018, firearms discharges in London have fallen by almost 90 per cent and last year we seized 75 per cent more firearms than the previous year. Every illegal firearm we recover is one less weapon capable of devastating our communities.”

The investigation

Officers were called shortly after 19:26hrs on Wednesday, 21 May 2025 following reports that shots had been fired on Walsh Crescent.

Armed and local officers quickly secured the scene while detectives launched an investigation, working at pace to identify those responsible. The victim had already made his way to a nearby hospital before they had arrived.

Officers recovered a mobile phone from the victim’s car, which contained footage of the victim and another man confronting Tevin Nzita around ten minutes before the shooting, enabling detectives to identify Nzita as the suspected gunman within hours and quickly establish the shooting was a targeted retaliation.

Detectives then reviewed extensive CCTV footage, traced the movements of the suspects before and after the attack and built a detailed picture of how the shootings had been planned and carried out.

The investigation established that Nzita fired the shotgun, Anthony Da Sousa drove the saloon car used in the attack and his brother Christopher Da Sousa played a key role in finding the victim, giving directions and assisting with preparations beforehand.

Phone records showed the defendants were in contact at crucial moments before and after the shooting, while location data placed them at key locations.

Forensic examinations confirmed the weapon used was a sawn-off double-barrelled shotgun fired at close range.

Following extensive CCTV enquiries, detectives tracked the suspects’ vehicle to Old Coulsdon, around six miles from the scene of the shooting, where it had initially been hidden beneath a cover. Investigators established Anthony Da Sousa had arranged for damage to the car to be repaired before having cloned number plates fitted.

Their swift investigative work resulted in Anthony Da Sousa and Tevin Nzita being arrested within two weeks of the shooting.

Christopher Da Sousa was later identified and arrested in December.

Key video evidence used in the trial included footage filmed by the victim showing Tevin Nzita shortly before the shooting, CCTV capturing the suspects’ movements before and after the attack, and audio capturing the sound of the gunshots.

Criminal proceedings

Following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court, all three defendants were convicted on Thursday, 4 June.

Tevin Nzita was convicted of attempted murder while Anthony Da Sousa was convicted of wounding with intent.

Both were also convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Christopher Da Sousa was convicted of encouraging or assisting the commission of one or more offences.

Tackling gun crime

Reducing gun crime remains a priority for the Met Police.

Over the past 18 months, the number of the most serious violent offences has fallen by almost 20 per cent, while lethal gunshot victims have reduced by 27 per cent.

Gun crime has more than halved since 2020 and officers seized 75 per cent more firearms last year than the previous year.

Since 2018, firearms discharges across London have reduced by almost 90 per cent, reflecting the Met’s sustained focus on removing illegal weapons from the streets and bringing violent offenders to justice.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been sentenced for 12 years following a Metropolitan Police investigation which uncovered more than 2,000 litres of GBL, a liquid drug which is linked to spiking and the chemsex scene, and more commonly known as the “date rape drug”.

Following an investigation into a series of drug offences in the north west of England, Greater Manchester Police passed intelligence to Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Unit, suggesting large qualities of GBL was being transported from Manchester to London, alongside the supply of crystal meth from London to Manchester.

Officers examined months of phone data to establish the involvement of Ahoor Ramabark Fathi, 61 (27.07.1964) of Willowbrook Road, Southall. On Friday, 17 April at Isleworth Crown Court he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs, possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of criminal property.

Officers located three addresses – two in Ealing, and one in Southall – linked to Fathi that were believed to be used to store significant amounts of drugs and money. Police attended one of the addresses on Wednesday, 18 March where he was located and arrested on suspicion of the supply of controlled drugs.

Following his arrest, officers searched a storage container rented by Fathi and found 188 boxes, each containing 12 one litre bottles of GBL (2,256 litres).

GBL and crystal meth are synonymous with chemsex behaviour and can be used in chemsex environments. Adverse effects to the user can cause memory loss, addition, and overdose leading to GBL being well known as a “date rape drug”.

Further items including £100,000 in cash, 456g of crystal meth, ammunition, and a firearm was also found at his property in Ealing.

His conviction comes as part of the Met Police’s sustained focus on reducing harm arising from the inextricable link between drug supply and organised crime in London.

Detective Inspector Mark Gavin, who led the investigation, said:

“Drug supply causes significant harm to communities across London and is often linked to exploitation, violence and other serious criminality. This seizure represents one of the largest quantities of GBL recovered in London and has prevented a substantial amount of the drug from reaching our streets.

“GBL and crystal meth are frequently associated with serious offences. We recognise that victims can face barriers to reporting crimes linked to drug use and exploitation, which can result in offending going unreported.

“Protecting Londoners remains our priority. We encourage anyone who has been affected by these crimes to come forward and speak to police. We will continue to target and dismantle organised crime groups responsible for supplying harmful drugs and causing harm within our communities.”

The Met understands there are many sensitivities and concerns around recreational drug taking, particularly in the context of the chemsex scene. We are committed to working closely with partners from the charity sector, addiction specialists and those within health and the wider criminal justice sector to ensure the Met approaches these issues sensitively.

As officers and staff build A New Met for London: Phase two, LGBT+ Community Liaison Officers have also been introduced to ensure every LGBT+ person living or working in the capital is confident to report crime, seek help and share their concerns.

He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday, 23 July.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

New figures released today show neighbourhood offences fell by 14 per cent in the 12 months to June compared with the previous year – the equivalent of more than 35,000 fewer offences reported across London. This includes:

• 23,311 fewer thefts from person (-23 per cent)

• 2,943 fewer personal robberies (-11 per cent)

• 8,737 fewer vehicle offences (-9 per cent)

The continued fall in neighbourhood crime follows a sustained focus on local policing, with hundreds of extra officers carrying out high-visibility patrols in neighbourhood hotspots and intelligence-led operations targeting offenders causing the most harm in our communities.

It comes after a massive sustained crackdown on crime in Westminster – one of London’s major tourist hubs – which has seen neighbourhood crime fall by more than a third – the equivalent of nearly 14,000 fewer offences.

The Met’s largest ever crackdown on mobile theft also resulted in 13,000 fewer offences across London over the last year. By targeting these crimes, the Met is helping make London a safer, more welcoming destination for the millions of tourists who visit the capital each year.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

“The figures are clear: London is safe and getting safer each year. Neighbourhood policing is the foundation of what we do – and neighbourhood crime is down 14 per cent across the capital.

“This reduction is a reflection of a wider policing approach and the dedication and hard work of local officers, working with specialist colleagues across the Met, using cutting-edge technology, to bring more criminals to justice.

“When neighbourhood policing works, its impact reaches far beyond local crime. Strong relationships with communities help us prevent and reduce wider forms of violence.

“These latest statistics are a massive achievement and comes after we also announced at the start of the year that serious violence was down, making the capital an even safer global city for Londoners and international visitors alike.”

The largest reductions in neighbourhood crime were recorded in Westminster (-36 per cent), Waltham Forest (-26 per cent) and Camden (-25 per cent), Kensington and Chelsea (-23 per cent), Hammersmith and Fulham (-20 per cent) and Islington (-20 per cent).

The Met is also deploying technology such as live facial recognition cameras, drones and high-powered e-bikes to identify suspects and disrupt criminal activity.

As a result, officers are now arresting around 1,000 suspects every month, while seizing knives, drugs, illegal e-bikes, stolen mobile phones and other suspected stolen property.

The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, said:

“At the start of the year, we set out the huge strides the capital had made tackling violent crime. Today, I’m really pleased to announce that thanks to my record investment in the Met, the hard work of officers and London’s Violence Reduction Unit, further significant reductions have been made in neighbourhood crime across London.

“There have been 35,000 fewer neighbourhood crimes – a drop of 14 per cent – with robberies of personal property, thefts from person, residential burglaries and vehicle crime offences falling London wide in the last year. In the West End alone, we have seen phone thefts halved and 14,000 fewer neighbourhood crimes, following a doubling of officers on patrol in the heart of the capital. A new Command Cell in the heart of the West End, funded by City Hall, is also serving as a central point to share intelligence, identify suspects and help prevent robberies, theft and anti-social behaviour.

“With more than five million extra visitors coming to London during the peak tourism season and the start of the school summer holidays, the Met Police are building on this work with extra officers in hotspot areas, tackling issues that matter to local communities including anti-social behaviour, robbery and mobile phone theft.

“We know many people online and across the world have been trying to talk London down, but the evidence is clear – London is one of safest global cities in the world, crime is falling and we’ll continue working together to build a safer London for everyone.”

London’s Victims Commissioner, Andrea Simon, said:

“Burglary, theft, and robbery can have a devastating and lasting impact, and I have heard first-hand from victims just how profoundly these crimes affect their lives. That’s why targeted work to tackle high volume crime is so important and I welcome the results today which reflect the work of the police, London’s Violence Reduction Unit and partners in listening and acting on the concerns of local communities.

“Whilst this progress is encouraging, we know there is more to do to ensure everyone in London feels safe and has confidence that, if they report a crime, they will receive the response and support they need. Too often, I hear from victims who are left frustrated by poor communication about their cases and lengthy delays in investigations. I continue to raise these concerns with the Met, and this must change so victims feel heard, supported and able to see justice delivered after a crime has been committed.”

In Camden, neighbourhood crime has fallen by a quarter in the last 12 months – the equivalent of 3,500 fewer offences across the borough.

Over the past year, officers on each Camden ward have concentrated resources on the offenders and hotspots driving the most crime, working closely with the council and other local partners to make communities safer. Officers are also using longer-term measures, including Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), to disrupt prolific offenders and prevent further offending.

This approach recently led to a prolific offender being sentenced to four years in prison and handed a 50-year CBO following convictions for multiple theft and burglary offences. The order includes strict conditions preventing the offender from entering Camden and Westminster, carrying drug-related equipment in public and entering several retail chains across England and Wales.

Serious violence has also reduced – in 2025 the number of murders in London dropped to its lowest in more than a decade, while knife-enabled crime fell by 17 per cent over the same period. The rate of violence in London is lower than many other big cities, both in the UK and across the US and major European cities like Paris, Berlin and Barcelona. The Met has also improved how it handles sexual offences, within three years, they went from one of the worst police force’s handling sexual violence to one of the best in the country.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers are appealing for the public’s help to locate a missing woman from Kentish Town.

Fatumata, 27, was last seen at her home close to Kentish Town rail station at around 21:10hrs on Monday, 20 July.

It’s believed that she was last seen wearing a pink dress and could be wearing a knee-length light brown overcoat.

Officers are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries to locate Fatumata, including reviewing hours of CCTV from the area.

She could have used the bus or train network to travel elsewhere in London or the surrounding counties.

Detective Inspector Marc Robinson, who is leading the investigation, said:

“We are growing increasingly concerned for Fatumata’s welfare and carrying out multiple enquiries to locate her.

“She is non-verbal and may not be able to communicate that she needs help.

“We are releasing an image of what Fatumata was last seen wearing, and I would urge people to look at Fatumata’s picture and, if you recognise her, call us immediately.”

Anyone who sees Fatumata or has information which could help officers is asked to call 999 and quote CAD 8588/20JUL26.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives investigating a serious assault which took place after an England World Cup match have released an image of a man they want to identify and speak with.

The assault occurred at 01:12hrs on Saturday, 12 July on Gascoyne Road, close to the junction with Bradstock Road in Hackney. It’s believed that the 24-year-old victim was involved in an altercation with a group of men after watching England’s World Cup against Norway. One member of the group then assaulted the victim, who sustained serious head injuries as a result.

The victim was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service where he remains. While he has serious injuries, they are thankfully not deemed to be life-threatening.

No arrests have been made, and enquiries are progressing at pace.

Detective Sergeant Steve Rafferty, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a violent assault which has left a young man with serious injuries.

“Since launching our investigation, officers have carried out extensive enquiries, including analysing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses. The assault took placed after the England vs Norway World Cup match, and we know that the area was extremely busy at the time. As a result, there may be additional witnesses who can provide crucial information.

“We are releasing an image of a man, who we believe may have important information which could assist our investigation, and I would urge anyone who recognises him to get in touch with police. He’s described as a White man, believed to be in his 20s or 30s, with light brown hair. He was wearing a blue and white England shirt with a navy collar.

“If you were in the Gascoyne Road area during the early hours of 12 July, witnessed the incident, or have any information which could assist our enquiries, please come forward.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD 600/12JUL.

Information can also be provided anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Earlier this year, officers on patrol arrested a man on suspicion of voyeurism following concerns from women in the Islington area. He has now been convicted as the Met continues to prioritise the safety of women and girls.

Anthony Durkan, 35 (20.01.1990), of Corporation Street, Islington, pleaded guilty on Thursday, 26 March at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court to seven voyeurism charges.

Today, Tuesday, 21 June he appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to 19 further charges of voyeurism, bringing his total number of offences to 26.

He will be sentenced at a later date at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

This result follows a Met investigation launched after two women reported voyeurism offences in north London, leading to the discovery of a series of incidents committed by Durkan between January 2020 and March 2026, which were brought to an end when officers identified and arrested him during a proactive patrol.

Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Alger, whose team led the investigation, said:

“Durkan’s offending represented a serious and sustained course of predatory behaviour, deliberately targeting women who were entirely unaware they were being filmed, without their consent and in the privacy of their own homes.

“I want to thank the women who had the courage to come forward and report Durkan’s crimes. Their reports, supported by witnesses and swift investigative work, enabled officers to act decisively and arrest Durkan during a proactive patrol.

“This conviction reflects the severity of these crimes and means a dangerous individual has been removed from the streets of London, preventing further harm to women.”

The offending

In January 2026, a woman made a police report after an unknown man had been repeatedly attending her home in Islington and filming through her windows during the early hours of the morning.

She had been alerted by her neighbour, who had witnessed a man dressed entirely in black and wearing a balaclava walk towards the property. He was seen holding his mobile phone up to windows, seemingly recording inside, before walking away. These incidents were captured on the neighbour’s doorbell camera.

Weeks later, in March 2026, officers were called to another address in Islington, after a woman reported that she had also spotted a man recording her through her window. She confronted the suspect, who fled immediately. This incident was also captured on a security camera.

The investigation

Officers reviewing footage from these two incidents quickly identified striking similarities. In each case, the suspect wore the same clothing, targeted women through windows during the early hours, and used his mobile phone to record without their knowledge. The locations were also within close proximity, leading detectives to believe the offences were linked.

As a result, officers increased targeted patrols in the area and on Wednesday, 25 March, the first night of this proactive activity, officers in an unmarked police car spotted a man matching the suspect’s description.

A plain‑clothed officer observed the man approach an address and carry out the same pattern of behaviour captured in earlier evidence. He was arrested moments later outside the property and identified as Anthony Durkan.

Durkan’s mobile phone was seized at the scene. A review of his mobile phone uncovered a hidden gallery containing hundreds of images and videos of women. There is no evidence any of the women were aware they were being recorded.

A search of Durkan’s home address led officers to seize five additional mobile devices and a small camera for further examination.

The women who initially reported the voyeurism offences, as well as an additional victim identified through analysis of Durkan’s devices, continue to receive dedicated support from specially trained officers.

Appeal

Examination of Durkan’s seized devices uncovered extensive evidence of further voyeurism offences, prompting detectives to review historic crime reports where no suspect had been identified and all viable lines of enquiry exhausted. This led to Durkan being linked to offences dating back to January 2020. Detectives are now working to identify additional victims.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from women in Islington and north London between January 2020 and March 2026 who may have noticed unusual activity around their home, especially late at night or in the early hours of the morning.

Members of the public are also asked to report suspicious behaviour, such as someone lingering near residential properties, looking through windows, or using a phone or camera. Footage captured on doorbell or CCTV cameras could prove vital.

The investigation team can be contacted directly via the following e-mail OpParinga@met.police.uk. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been convicted for his role in assisting Daniel Khalife after he escaped from prison.

An investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London showed how Adeel Khan helped Khalife following his escape from HMP Wandsworth on 6 September, 2023.

A nationwide manhunt was launched to locate Khalife and he was on the run for three days before he was arrested near a canal in Northolt. But during the investigation and following his arrest, it became clear to officers that Khalife was not acting completely alone in his attempts to evade capture by police.

The investigation team identified Khalife was communicating with Khan, whom he had met in prison, via mobile phone. Detectives also found that Khan had arranged for Khalife to be given £400 in cash.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP London, said: “A huge amount of police resource was used during the manhunt for Daniel Khalife – a man who has now been convicted of espionage and terrorism offences.

“Adeel Khan knowingly helped him to try and evade capture by arranging for him to be given £400 cash, which enabled him to buy a mobile phone and other items that helped extend his time on the run.

“This case demonstrates that anyone who helps a criminal in this way will find themselves arrested and now they are also facing justice.”

Khan was interviewed in Wandsworth prison in October 2023 after CTP London officers found his name, prison number and mobile phone number written in a diary Khalife had on him when he was arrested.

Through analysis of mobile phone data, the officers discovered numerous phone calls between Khan and Khalife after his escape from the prison.

These phone calls were made from phones Khalife borrowed from members of the public, before he was able to purchase his own mobile phone with the cash Khan had arranged to be given to him.

The phone used to communicate with Khalife was never recovered but Khan was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to possession of a phone in prison, contrary to Section 40 D(1) of the Prisons Act 1952.

Khan’s friend Imran Chowdhury, was also charged with assisting an offender after CTP London officers tracked down CCTV footage that showed Chowdhury and Khalife walking together towards a bank in the Richmond area.

This is when he withdrew £400 and gave it to Khalife. Further enquiries identified that Chowdhury was paid £120 by Khan, via his girlfriend, for doing this. The jury heard Chowdhury did not know he was giving money to an escaped prisoner.

After a two-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Chowdhury 26 (01.01.2000) of Chingford was found not guilty of assisting an offender

Khan 32 (22.05.94) of Waltham Forest was found guilty. He will be sentenced at the same court on September 4.