Category: United Kingdom

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Three men jailed for north London robberies

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Three men jailed for north London robberies

Three men responsible for a series of robberies from cashpoint delivery drivers in north London have been jailed for a total of 36 years.

Paul Sayer, and his son Reece, worked with Darren Irving to carry out five robberies during a three-month period from 14 April to 3 July 2017.

The offences all involved a cash box being stolen from security guards as they refilled cash machines outside commercial premises.

During two of the offences, the security guard was punched in the head after a hooded robber demanded the cash box.

Flying Squad detectives managed to identify the men responsible for the robberies through extensive analysis of CCTV as well as descriptions of the vehicles used to take the robbers away from the scene.

Irving and Paul Sayer were identified from CCTV footage as being involved in these offences.

Irving was found to be the person who committed the robbery while Sayer acted as the ‘getaway’ driver on each of the offences.

Reece Sayer was linked to the robberies through investigation into the vehicles used in the offences.

Officers arrested Irving, Paul Sayer and Reece Sayer on 7 July 2017.

At Irving’s home address, a small amount of dye-stained cash was recovered as well as a small amount of Class A drugs.

At Reece Sayer’s address, a stolen black BMW was found parked in the communal car park outside the premises with a cloned number plate.

Further investigation into the vehicle revealed it had been stolen on 13 June 2017 and was the same make and model seen in two of the robbery offences.

Green dye from cash stolen in two of the robberies was also found inside the stolen BMW.

Paul and Reece Sayer were both found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery at a commercial premises after a four-week trial at Wood Green Crown Court.

Irving pleaded guilty to the same charge in November. All three were sentenced on Monday, 29 January at Wood Green Crown Court.

Paul Sayer, 48 (17.07.69), of Cranborne Parade, Potters Bar was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment.

Darren Irving, 43 (12.05.74), of Spirgurnell Road, Tottenham was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.

Reece Sayer, 24 (3.09.93), Copperwood, Hertford, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. 

Detective Constable Mark Waker, of the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “These men worked together to carry out a series of cashpoint robberies in a short space of time.

“Violence was used on the security guards and a large degree of planning was demonstrated by the use of stolen vehicles and cloned number plates.

“Flying Squad officers work tirelessly every day to track down and arrest those responsible for these types of offences.”

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Do something ‘special’ this New Year

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Do something ‘special’ this New Year

Met special constables working within the Vehicle Enforcement Team cracked down on criminals who use London’s roads in an operation which highlighted just one of the many roles they carry out to support their colleagues.

As the Met launches a new specials recruitment campaign, more than 50 members of the MSC were positioned on Romford Road in Newham on Saturday, 27 January, which saw 300 vehicles stopped, 22 seized for either having no insurance or driving not in accordance to their licence, and three arrests made for immigration offences.

The specials provided a visible deterrent for criminals using the roads while apprehending unsuspecting ones who, through the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, were detected as being ‘wanted’.

The officers also worked alongside partner agencies to ensure those drivers and vehicles stopped and spoken to, were compliant with the law ensuring the safety of our roads. 

The enforcement activity highlighted just one of the ways specials can get involved in operational policing in London.

Special constables are volunteer police officers who play a pivotal role in the Met. Specials have all the responsibilities and powers of a full-time officer and therefore carry out a huge range of operational police work but on a part-time voluntary basis alongside their regular day job.

Becoming a special provides the opportunity to work alongside police officers in various roles including specialist commands, allowing the specials to bring exceptional skills and experiences from their day job into the situations and problem-solving challenges they may face on the streets of London.

Special constables make a real difference to London by reducing crime, and the fear of crime, whilst gaining unique experiences that simply cannot be found anywhere else, such as helping with public order events, ceremonial policing, supporting emergency response and neighbourhood policing.

Special Constabulary Chief Officer John Conway, said: “This weekend’s operation was a great success and showed off the excellent skills of our special constables in tackling crime. The work of a special constable is hugely varied and joining the MSC would be a worthy New Year’s resolution. It’s an amazing chance for Londoners to give something back to their city and help make a real difference to the safety and security of its communities. 

“The valuable knowledge and skills gained will serve them well, not only in their police role but also in their full-time career. They also bring valuable skills from their full-time occupations to assist in their policing role. In the words of Winston Churchill “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London’s special constables are an inspiration to us all, volunteering their precious time to help keep the rest of us safe.

“At a time of increasing pressure on police resources, their hard work has never been more valuable.

“I encourage Londoners with some time and commitment to spare for our city, to look into becoming a special constable – helping to make a real and positive difference in our communities.”

Special Constable Christian French, who was at the road side operation, said: “One could work their entire life, look back on it and realise they had never really affected another’s life in a positive way, never helped someone in need, never went out of their way to make a difference. It was these exact thoughts that spurred me on to become a special constable. To give a part of my time to help those in times of crisis and to play a part in trying to make them safe and to reassure, to be part of something that really matters.

“I’ve always loved cars, and trained as a car mechanic at college. When the opportunity to become a police response driver arose, I didn’t hesitate. Now I have the skills to be able to respond to emergency calls and extend my capacity to remove uninsured and unlicensed drivers from our roads, as part of the specialist vehicle enforcement team with the Met.”

The MSC was created in 1837 and has since grown to a current strength of 2,100 officers. In 2017 it contributed 517,000, which is equivalent to £18million of policing hours.

Among the current Met workforce there are 87 separate languages spoken with 32 per cent of a black and minority ethnic background and 28 per cent of which are women. They are from a cross-section of society, from students, plumbers and teachers to air crew, barristers and doctors.

The Met hopes to recruit 1,100 to reach targets of 3,200 by 2021.

For details of how to apply please visit the Met’s website

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Serving officer dismissed following special case hearing

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Serving officer dismissed following special case hearing

A police constable has been dismissed for traffic convictions.

PC Yasmin Norris, attached to Merton Borough, faced a special case hearing on Friday, 26 January.

The chair heard that on 27 June 2017, PC Norris was convicted at Medway Magistrates’ Court of allowing someone else, who did not have the valid insurance to drive her BMW car between 31 August and 1 September 2016.

In addition, PC Norris was stopped by Police Scotland on 19 May 2017, for driving at 102mph in a 70mph zone.

It was alleged these actions amounted to a breach of the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of, ‘honesty and integrity’ and ‘discreditable conduct’.

Her conduct was proven as gross misconduct and she was dismissed without notice.

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Arrest made in linked sexual assault series

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Arrest made in linked sexual assault series

Detectives investigating a series of sexual assaults in South London have made an arrest.

A 51 -year-old male was arrested in Bromley in connection with a number of sexual assaults that have taken place across five different boroughs in south London.

The arrested man was taken to a south London police station where he currently remains in custody.

The series of 26 allegations mainly relate to Lewisham and Greenwich boroughs but also include Southwark, Bromley and Bexley.

The linked series of assaults typically took place during rush hour periods – between 0700-0900hrs and 1600-1800hrs – with victims being young women and girls.

The first incident is believed to have taken place on 16 October 2016 – a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Foxfield Road, Orpington at around 0915hrs.

Since then, police have received reports about similar offences that may have been committed by the same suspect.

The last reported assault was committed on Monday, 8 January. A 12-year-old girl reported an attempted robbery at approximately 7:30hrs on Grierson Road junction with Gabriele Street. The officers are linking this to the series and treating it as an attempted sexual assault.

Police have increased patrols in the areas where offences have been reported, and have also worked with local schools to reassure pupils and parents.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Furphy of Lewisham police, leading the investigation, said: “We are aware that there might be further victims who have not yet spoken to police; if you are a victim, or know someone who has been a victim of a sexual assault, I can assure you your information will be treated with strict confidence and sensitivity and we can also access specialist support where needed.”

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 0208 284 8346 or call 101 or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Appeal to trace witness to serious collision

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal to trace witness to serious collision

Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command investigating a serious collision involving a car and cyclist, where the driver failed to stop, have released an image of a vehicle whose driver may have vital information.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at around 23:35hrs on Wednesday, 10 January to reports of a car in collision with a cyclist on Camden Road at the junction of Royal College Road – opposite Camden Road Overground Station.

Officers attended. The male cyclist, aged 47, was taken to an east London hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

The driver failed to stop at the scene. The car believed to have been involved in the collision was recovered nearby in Kings Terrace, NW1.

Just after the collision, the suspect vehicle drove into Plender Street, entering the one-way street from the wrong direction.

There, the vehicle nearly collided with a black cab which had to take a sharp turn to avoid contact.

The cab then turned right into Bayham Street, NW1.

Officers investigating the Camden Road collision are appealing for the driver of this other vehicle – a large SUV, possibly a Mercedes Vito Taxi – to come forward. Officers believe he may have information that could assist the inquiry.

If you witnessed the collision or have any information about the vehicle involved, the vehicle pictured or anything that may assist the investigation, call the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8991 9555.

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Serving officer dismissed without notice

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Serving officer dismissed without notice

A police constable, who is currently serving seven years in prison, has been dismissed without notice from the Metropolitan Police Service.

Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball chaired a special case hearing to consider if the conduct of PC Joseph Prasad breached the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

On 24 August 2017, PC Prasad, attached to Specialist Crime and Operations, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and jailed for seven years.

PC Prasad and a female colleague were arrested on 7 June 2016 in Romford after police received an anonymous call about a man and woman reportedly dealing drugs at the location.

Both officers were off-duty at the time.

On being detained, PC Prasad picked up his colleague’s handbag on the premise of looking for her warrant card; however – he produced two packets containing white powder which he claimed he had found in the bag.

Forensic analysis showed that only PC Prasad’s DNA was on the packets. Both officers were subjected to drugs tests which returned negative results.

Further investigative work revealed that PC Prasad was in possession of two mobile phones. One of the phones had been used to make the anonymous call to police on 7 June 2016. Further analysis showed numbers linked to Prasad had made numerous anonymous calls over a two-month period to police, Crimestoppers and the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) giving false information in an attempt to get his colleague arrested.

Having considered all the evidence, AC Ball dismissed PC Prasad without notice on Friday, 26 January.

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Statement in connection with Operation Nautical – Oxfordshire

Source: United Kingdom Thames Valley Police

Headline: Statement in connection with Operation Nautical – Oxfordshire

A trial which was due to begin in February in relation to 11 defendants charged in connection with child sexual exploitation offences in Oxfordshire has been dismissed.

At a hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday (25/1), the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence in respect of the trial of men facing charges of sexual offences against children. Not guilty verdicts were recorded for all defendants in on all counts.

TVP was informed that the decision taken was due to evidential reasons; the CPS having determined that there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. The dismissal of the case was not the result of a failure to disclose evidence and the decision was not related to the issue of disclosure.

Following an earlier linked trial at Oxford Crown Court, which concluded on 5 December 2017, a jury acquitted seven defendants of various sexual offences in connection with the same investigation. Not guilty verdicts were recorded against all defendants on all counts.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Mick Saunders, said: “It was right that the case was brought to court so that a jury could hear and consider the evidence and the defendants could have an opportunity to answer to the case against them. Thames Valley Police respects the decision of the jury.

“Prosecutions are quite properly kept under review and Thames Valley Police accepts the decision of the CPS not to proceed with the second linked trial and to offer no evidence in respect of the defendants in that case.

“We will review the investigation, as we would in all such cases, to identify whether there is any learning for future investigations of child sexual exploitation.

“Thames Valley Police will always take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously. Specialist officers will continue to work to support victims sensitively and to investigate offences thoroughly. We commend the courage of those who come forward to report abuse and will continue to endeavour to bring to justice those who are responsible for the crimes.”

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Update – Murder investigation following the death of two elderly residents in Buckinghamshire

Source: United Kingdom Thames Valley Police

Headline: Update – Murder investigation following the death of two elderly residents in Buckinghamshire

Peter Farquhar died on 26 October 2015, aged 69, and Ann Moore-Martin died on 12 May 2017, aged 83.

The causes of death are yet to be determined.

On Tuesday morning three men were arrested as part of the investigation.

A 22- year old man from Milton Keynes who was arrested on suspicion of one count of conspiracy to defraud, one count conspiring to commit fraud by false representation and one count of suspicion of fraud by false representation has been released under investigation.

A 27-year-old man from Towcester, Northamptonshire who was arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of suspicion of fraud by false representation, one count of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of burglary has been released on bail until 13 February.

A 31-year-old man from Redruth, Cornwall, who was arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of suspicion of fraud by false representation, one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of burglary has been released on bail until 13 February.

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Man jailed for 18 years for sexual offences – Slough

Source: United Kingdom Thames Valley Police

Headline: Man jailed for 18 years for sexual offences – Slough

Stephen Deville, aged 37, of Uxbridge, was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment at Reading Crown Court on Friday (19/1).

He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Following a five day trial last year, a majority jury found Deville guilty of three counts of rape of a child under 13 and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.

Deville was arrested on 11 July last year and charged with the offences on 6 September.

The offences which took place between March and April 2015 in Slough and involved one female victim.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Alethea Cox of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit based in Windsor, said: “I welcome the significant sentence handed down to Stephen Deville. This is a fantastic result for the victim and her family who will no doubt have a difficult road ahead as they come to terms with Deville’s horrendous crimes.

“I hope this case will reassure victims that we will work to support you, safeguard you and get justice for you. I would urge anybody out there who has suffered abuse or has any information about abuse to come forward and report it to police.”

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Appeal to trace car following shooting

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal to trace car following shooting

Detectives investigating a shooting in Newham in which a man was shot in the head are appealing for the public’s help to trace a vehicle.

Police were called shortly before 22:30hrs on Sunday, 21 January to reports of a shooting on Romford Road, at the junction with Vicarage Lane, E15.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended; a 21-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to his head.

He was taken to an east London hospital by the LAS where he remains in a critical condition.

His next-of-kin are aware.

It is believed the suspects were travelling in a silver Lexus, with an index of AY52 CKD. Officers believe the suspects got out of the car, shot the victim and then fled the scene in the vehicle.

Officers from the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command are investigating and are continuing to appeal for information and witnesses.

Detective Inspector Robert Allen, who is leading the investigation, said: “I would appeal to anyone who remembers seeing this car in the Vicarage Lane area on the evening of Sunday, 21 January, or knows where the vehicle is now, to contact us as a matter of urgency.

“There is a young man in a life-threatening condition and it is vital we uncover exactly what led to him being shot. I need anyone with information about the vehicle or the shooting itself to come forward and speak to police or Crimestoppers anonymously so we can bring those responsible to justice.

“Any information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

An 18-year-old man [A] was arrested at an address in Brentwood, Essex, on Thursday, 25 January, on suspicion of attempted murder. He was taken to an east London police station for questioning. He has since been bailed to return on a date in late February.

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers on 020 7230 8570 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.