Author: James Whitmore

Four people who worked at a North Yorkshire smokehouse have been charged with fraud after allegedly selling Norwegian salmon to Aldi while claiming it was Scottish and RSPCA-assured. Charles Andrew, 59, Alexander Irvine, 62, Alex McMorran, 61, and Dana Timsa, 36, appeared at Teesside Crown Court facing conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. The alleged offences occurred in 2021 and 2022 while they worked for Bleiker’s Smokehouse. Food Standards Agency Investigation The charges follow an investigation by the Food Standards Agency’s crime unit into activities at the smokehouse, which was based at Leeming Bar industrial estate near Northallerton. Neil…

Transport for London is spending £11 million on cleaning trains as part of a major response to graffiti vandals who have caused criminal damage offences to double across the network, with British Transport Police working to identify and prosecute offenders. Thousands of graffiti tags are being removed each week under a detailed plan to address the vandalism and prevent future incidents. The comprehensive programme combines a robust security response with mass removal efforts targeting affected rolling stock. TfL revealed in December that Commissioner Andy Lord had authorized the multimillion-pound expenditure to tackle the problem. The transport body says it is…

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime division are searching two properties linked to Lord Mandelson as part of an ongoing investigation into potential misconduct in public office relating to his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Officers attended addresses in Wilcot, near Pewsey in Wiltshire, and in Camden on Friday morning to execute search warrants. The 72-year-old former cabinet minister has not been arrested, with the Met confirming enquiries remain ongoing.Central Specialist Crime Team Leading InvestigationThe Met’s Central Specialist Crime division is handling the investigation, which focuses on alleged misconduct in public office offences. This specialist unit typically deals…

Vulnerable people exploited by criminal networks were rescued during a major police operation that saw 300 officers storm 15 properties across Merton linked to organised crime groups, with two addresses immediately shut down to prevent further exploitation.The overnight raids on Thursday, 5 February targeted addresses where intelligence indicated people were being held and exploited through cuckooing—a practice where drug dealers take over vulnerable people’s homes to use as bases for criminal activity. Officers arrested 23 suspects including individuals facing modern-day slavery offences.Police served Closure Notices on two addresses to immediately deny criminals access to the premises and protect those at…

A 25-year-old man remains in police custody following a fatal collision between a horse and cart and an electric bicycle in east London that claimed the life of a 46-year-old cyclist. The cart driver was detained at the scene in Folly Lane, Chingford, on suspicion of wanton and furious driving after the incident on Wednesday evening, February 4. He is currently being held for questioning by Metropolitan Police officers. Emergency Services Called to Chingford Scene Police received reports of the collision at 18:08hrs on Wednesday and dispatched officers to Folly Lane alongside London Ambulance Service crews. Despite the emergency response,…

London’s suburban zones are experiencing a rental boom as increasing numbers of tenants bypass central districts in favour of affordable homes further from the capital’s core.Property analysts and letting agents across the city are witnessing heightened interest in Zones 4, 5, and 6, with neighbourhoods previously overlooked now drawing substantial tenant enquiries. The shift marks a notable change in London’s residential landscape, with areas once dismissed as too distant now positioning themselves as viable alternatives for renters.Suburban Boroughs Recording Increased Tenant InterestBarking, Croydon, Harrow, and Enfield are among the outer boroughs reporting stronger rental demand. Tenants moving to these locations…

Londoners face significant travel disruption this weekend with the Northern line shut down across its southern section and multiple closures affecting services from February 7 to 8.The most substantial interruption will hit Northern line passengers, with no trains running between Kennington and Morden throughout the entire weekend. The closure begins at 01:00 on Saturday, February 7, and continues through Sunday, February 8, affecting both day services and the Friday and Saturday Night Tube.Elizabeth Line and DLR Hit by Sunday DisruptionsElizabeth Line passengers should plan alternative routes on Sunday morning, with no trains operating between Paddington and Ealing Broadway until 07:45.…

A Polish nursery worker convicted of abusing 21 babies will not be required to serve the remainder of her eight-year prison sentence once deported from Britain this week, the government has confirmed, sparking fury among victims’ families. Border security minister Alex Norris disclosed in correspondence sent Wednesday that whilst Roksana Lecka will not continue her incarceration in Poland, British authorities have notified Polish law enforcement about her convictions to enable appropriate safeguarding measures. The 23-year-old is scheduled for deportation on 5 February, with responsibility for any further monitoring or restrictions passing to Polish authorities once she leaves UK jurisdiction. Lecka…

Victorian-era canals built to transport industrial goods are being reinforced to tackle twenty-first century water challenges, with England and Wales’ 2,000-mile network now viewed as critical infrastructure for moving supplies between drought-hit and flood-prone regions. The Canal and River Trust is receiving £6.5 million in government funding to strengthen embankments, culverts and reservoirs across the waterway system as extreme weather patterns expose vulnerabilities in structures designed two centuries ago for entirely different climate conditions. Water Minister Emma Hardy emphasised the canals’ status as precious community assets delivering environmental, social and economic benefits. She stated the investment will help future-proof the…

A train derailment at a south London depot combined with signalling failures brought three major rail operators to a standstill on Wednesday, forcing officials to tell passengers to stay home during the morning rush hour.The dual crisis hit Govia Thameslink Railway – Britain’s largest rail franchise – causing unprecedented disruption across Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services throughout the day.An empty passenger train came off the tracks near Selhurst depot in south-east London, blocking other services from leaving the facility. Network Rail released images showing the train remained upright following the incident, with officials confirming no injuries were reported. However,…