Author: James Whitmore

An anonymous tip to the Metropolitan Police’s internal whistleblowing service set in motion a misconduct investigation that has ended with a detective sergeant losing her position over a series of social media posts about the conflict in Gaza.Rebecca Collens, who served within the Road and Transport Policing command, was reported through the force’s Right Line service in May 2024. Her private Instagram account, which had more than 100 followers, contained multiple posts relating to the war that ultimately attracted the attention of the force.A misconduct panel examined the posts and reached conclusions on two principal grounds: that the material was…

Rural authorities managing some of England’s most cherished natural areas are implementing new visitor engagement initiatives following research that identified significant barriers preventing ethnic minority communities from accessing the countryside. The Chilterns, Cotswolds, Malvern Hills and multiple other protected landscapes have introduced targeted outreach efforts after a government-funded study revealed concerning participation disparities in rural tourism and recreation. Regional programmes now underway include community-specific engagement projects, multilingual promotional materials, and workforce recruitment drives designed to make natural heritage sites more welcoming to underrepresented groups. Several organisations have committed to examining cultural differences in how people prefer to experience outdoor spaces.…

Having a job in the capital is no longer enough to escape financial hardship, with a growing proportion of London families falling below the poverty line even when one or more adults are in employment. The phenomenon of in-work poverty has become a defining characteristic of London’s economy, challenging longstanding assumptions that work provides a pathway out of deprivation. Families across the city are discovering that paycheques cannot keep pace with the expenses required to live in one of the world’s most costly cities. Wage levels tell part of the story. A substantial portion of London’s workforce earns less than…

Avon and Somerset Police have made a second arrest of independent MP Dan Norris as their investigation into alleged sexual offences continues to widen in scope. The 66-year-old former West of England Mayor, who currently represents North East Somerset and Hanham, was taken into custody again following an investigation that police say began in December 2024. Authorities have expanded their enquiries to include allegations from multiple women. Norris now faces investigation for the rape of two separate women, sexual assault of a third woman, and offences including voyeurism and upskirting involving several alleged victims. The timeframe for the alleged incidents…

Investigators Rule Out Broader Public Threat Following Saturday Afternoon Attack Authorities secured an arrest within hours of a fatal stabbing incident that claimed a woman’s life on a Willesden thoroughfare, with investigative leaders confirming no indications of wider community danger. Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford stated that inquiry findings to date show no evidence suggesting public safety concerns beyond the specific circumstances of Saturday’s events. The suspect, a 30-year-old male believed to have had prior acquaintance with the deceased, currently faces murder allegations while held at a custody facility in north London. Emergency services received notification of the stabbing around…

Households across Royal Borough of Greenwich will pay an additional £1.46 weekly for council services from April, with another 39p going to the Greater London Authority, as the authority prepares to approve its spending proposals for the coming financial year. The borough has drafted a balanced budget for 2026 to 2027 ahead of Full Council consideration scheduled for Thursday 26 February 2026, maintaining its 14-year record of avoiding emergency government bailouts despite requiring £150 million in savings during that period. Council Tax will rise by the maximum permitted 2.99 percent, accompanied by a separate 2 percent Adult Social Care levy.…

Royal Borough of Greenwich has extended its three-year reign as London’s top affordable housing developer with planning approval for another 28 council properties designed to help families struggling with rental costs. The borough has now outpaced every other London authority for new affordable home construction for three consecutive years, demonstrating sustained commitment to tackling accommodation shortages through direct council building rather than relying solely on private developers. Planning permission has been granted for developments in four Greenwich neighbourhoods, with sites confirmed in New Eltham, Plumstead, Hornfair Park and Eltham. The properties will include one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom options to accommodate…

Metropolitan Police have dismantled a major organized crime operation after surveillance work and encrypted platform analysis led officers to an Essex residence containing 33 kilograms of illegal narcotics and nearly £180,000 in cash, resulting in prison terms for two defendants who funded foreign vacations and designer purchases through years of criminal enterprise. Kingston Crown Court sentenced Samuel De Vere-Hunt, 30, of School Road, Kelvedon Hatch, to 12 years imprisonment Friday following guilty pleas to 12 charges spanning money laundering, drug supply conspiracy, and possession offenses. His partner Rosie Wise, 25, of the same address, received a suspended sentence of one…

A London court has imposed a life sentence with a 37-year minimum on a disqualified driver who unleashed a deadly vehicle assault across multiple West End locations during the early hours of Christmas 2024, striking five pedestrians and claiming one life. The Old Bailey delivered its sentence Friday against Anthony Gilheaney, 32, of Harlow, Essex, following his December conviction on charges including murder, attempted murder, and grievous bodily harm with intent. The court heard evidence of a sustained attack pattern beginning approximately after midnight on December 25, 2024, spanning several streets in central London. The rampage claimed the life of…

Catherine O’Hara, the beloved actress known for her roles in Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone and Best in Show, has died at the age of 71. The Hollywood icon passed away on Friday, sources with direct knowledge told TMZ. The cause of death has not been released. The Daily Mail has requested comment from representatives for O’Hara. O’Hara’s last public appearance was at the Emmys in September, where she appeared frail on the red carpet. The appearance came four months before her death. O’Hara became a household name playing Macaulay Culkin’s mother in the first two Home Alone films. She later…