The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Area
Greenwich crime
81 stories from and about Greenwich, mostly violent crime, courts, community safety. The most recent ran on 30 October 2026. Page 1 of 5.
Reported from Greenwich
- Community Safety · Greenwich
Greenwich councillors gain powers to refuse new HMOs
Greenwich councillors can now refuse applications for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) under new planning rules. These rules include a size threshold and a limit on the number of HMOs in a specific area, aiming to protect family housing.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 20 
Courts · GreenwichMap thief jailed for three years at Woolwich Crown Court
Melvin West, 70, has been sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a rare 17th Century world map from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. The map, cut from a 1684 atlas, has not been recovered and its loss is considered a significant cultural blow.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 40
Courts · GreenwichTeenage hitman convicted of murder plot for Iran-backed gang
Johannes Kongsnes Natland, a 19-year-old from Norway, has been found guilty by an Old Bailey jury of conspiracy to murder. He was arrested in Huddersfield with firearms and ammunition, allegedly as part of a plot for an Iran-backed gang.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 44 · Craft 67 · Hype 45
Courts · GreenwichGreenwich burglar jailed for two years
Lee Dwyer-Clark has been sentenced to two years in prison for burgling a family home in Greenwich on June 7. He was found in the homeowner's van at the scene and admitted being under the influence of drugs.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 63 · Hype 41
Courts · GreenwichEltham College teacher barred from profession for accessing porn
A teacher with over 20 years' service at Eltham College Junior School has been banned from teaching indefinitely after accessing and storing pornography on his work computer and school account. William Schaper was dismissed in January 2025 and referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 20
Transport Crime · GreenwichCCTV images released after violent robbery attempt at Woolwich Dockyard station
A man was assaulted and had his mobile phone targeted in a failed robbery attempt at Woolwich Dockyard railway station on July 30. British Transport Police have released CCTV images of three people they wish to identify and speak to.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41
Violent Crime · GreenwichPlumstead man charged with common assault
A 41-year-old man has been charged with common assault following an alleged incident on Plumstead High Street. Selomon Dawit is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court next month.
Greenwich1 min readTrust 36 · Craft 60 · Hype 25
Community Safety · GreenwichGreenwich Council to introduce parking permits on St Margarets Grove
Greenwich Council plans to introduce parking permits on St Margarets Grove in Woolwich. Temple leaders fear this will impact community services and attendance, while local residents welcome the changes to combat commuter parking.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Transport Crime · GreenwichMan punched in face during phone robbery at Cutty Sark DLR
A man was punched in the face and had his mobile phone stolen at Cutty Sark DLR station in Greenwich. Members of the public intervened to recover the phone. British Transport Police are seeking information.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41
Courts · GreenwichGreenwich kidnapper admits sexual motive, faces prison
Omoniyi Peter has admitted to kidnapping a woman in Greenwich with sexual intent. He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial at the Old Bailey, and sentencing has been adjourned pending a public danger report.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 41
Courts · GreenwichEltham teacher barred from profession after accessing pornography
A teacher at Eltham College Junior School has been banned from teaching indefinitely after accessing and storing pornography on his work computer. William Schaper was dismissed in January 2025 and can apply to have the ban lifted after two years.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Policing · GreenwichPolice seek suspect after baby‑holder bitten on DLR train in Greenwich
British Transport Police are looking for a man captured on CCTV after he bit and assaulted a passenger holding a baby on a DLR train between Maze Hill and Woolwich Arsenal on 5 September 2026. The force urges anyone with information to contact them using the reference provided.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 52 · Craft 52 · Hype 30
Violent Crime · Greenwich19-year-old e-bike rider dies in Eltham crash
A 19-year-old man has died following a collision involving an e-bike and a parked car in Eltham. The incident occurred on Eltham Hill on September 28. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been notified.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Policing · GreenwichWoolwich dispersal order in place after Tesco incidents
A dispersal order has been implemented across the Woolwich area, granting police additional powers to manage public order. The measure was authorised following social media posts detailing incidents involving schoolchildren at a Woolwich Tesco.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 50 · Hype 45
Community Safety · GreenwichGreenwich Council opposes Charlton data centre for housing
Greenwich Council has voiced opposition to a proposed 100,000 sq m data centre at Charlton Riverside, favouring its own plans for approximately 8,000 new homes in the area. The debate highlights a growing conflict between digital infrastructure needs and housing development in London.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Violent Crime · GreenwichThree arrested after teen stabbed in Greenwich
Three teenagers have been arrested following a stabbing in Charlton, Greenwich. The 19-year-old victim was found in a critical condition and taken to hospital. Police detained the suspects in Eltham.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41- Community Safety · Greenwich
Thamesmead fly-tipper fined £1,000 after label clue
A fly-tipper has been fined £1,000 after Greenwich Council investigators traced them using a damaged delivery label found among rubbish dumped on Booth Close, Thamesmead. The council is urging residents to report fly-tipping and offers a reward for evidence.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Violent Crime · GreenwichTeenager in critical condition after Charlton stabbing; three arrested
A 19-year-old man is in critical condition following a stabbing in Charlton. Police arrested three teenagers, aged 17 and 18, in Eltham on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent. A cordon was in place on Charlton Church Lane.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · GreenwichPrisoners freed early from Thamesmead jail
Around 700 offenders were released from HMP Isis in Thamesmead on October 1, 2026, under a government scheme aimed at easing prison overcrowding. The programme allows some inmates to leave after serving approximately one-third of their sentence, sparking controversy.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 55 · Hype 45
Community Safety · GreenwichGreenwich Park dog owner berated by school worker
A Greenwich mother has described a 'scary' encounter in Greenwich Park where a school worker allegedly became aggressive about her pocket bully dog, Storm. The worker reportedly called the dog a 'murder dog' and referred to the owners as 'local nutters'.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 95 · Hype 55
Also affecting Greenwich
Borough-wide and national stories that name Greenwich or bear directly on it.
Crime Data · HillingdonHillingdon leads London in 'Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society' offences
Hillingdon recorded 194 offences in the 'Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society' category in September 2026, according to Metropolitan Police data. This figure is more than three times higher than the second-highest borough, Newham, which had 62 offences.
Hillingdon3 min readTrust 40 · Craft 53 · Hype 61- Crime Data · London
Lewisham Leads South East London in Violence Rates
Lewisham has recorded the highest rate of violence against the person in south-east London, with 36.2 offences per 1,000 people in the year ending September 2026. Across the capital, such offences rose by 7.6 per cent.
London3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 57 · Hype 41 - Crime Data · London
Croydon and Westminster record highest violence offences
Croydon recorded the highest total number of violence against the person offences in London, with 12,443 incidents in the year ending September 2026. Westminster followed closely with 12,242 offences, also recording the highest rate per 1,000 people.
London3 min readTrust 62 · Craft 67 · Hype 30 - Crime Data · London
Southwark records highest crime rate in south-east London
Southwark recorded the highest number of criminal offences in south-east London during September, with 3,725 crimes reported. Theft was the most prevalent offence in the borough, followed by violence against the person. This data comes from Metropolitan Police figures released by News Shopper and This Is Local London.
London2 min readTrust 40 · Craft 60 · Hype 20 - Transport Crime · City of London
Tube robber jailed for four and a half years
Fabian Pawlowski, 22, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for a series of robberies on the London Underground. He pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and two counts of possession of a bladed article.
City of London2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Transport Crime · Tower HamletsTower Hamlets issues nearly 1,000 fines for obstructive e-bikes
Tower Hamlets Council has issued 996 Fixed Penalty Notices to dockless e-bike operators for wilful obstruction. These fines, each potentially costing £100, address bikes left blocking pavements and streets across the borough.
Tower Hamlets3 min readTrust 58 · Craft 80 · Hype 32
LatestJonathan Haggerty: From Aylesbury Estate to Kickboxing World Champion
Jonathan Haggerty, the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion, has risen from growing up on the Aylesbury Estate and training at his father's Old Kent Road gym to global sporting acclaim. His journey includes an early disqualification and rigorous training in Greenwich Park.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 67 · Hype 41
Violent Crime · LondonWestminster records highest violent offence rate in September 2026
In September 2026 London saw 21,715 violent offences. Westminster had the highest rate at 3.4 per 1,000 residents, Brent recorded 959 incidents and Richmond upon Thames the lowest rate at 1.4 per 1,000. The figures reflect a 7.6% rise on the previous year.
London2 min readTrust 62 · Craft 71 · Hype 30
Community Safety · LondonVape battery failure causes flat fire in Woolwich
A fire at a Woolwich Common flat, caused by a failing lithium-ion vape battery, has led to the London Fire Brigade issuing crucial safety advice. The blaze damaged half of a three-bedroom property.
London2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 60 · Hype 45
Transport Crime · Tower HamletsTower Hamlets issues 996 fines over e-bike parking chaos
Residents in Island Gardens, Tower Hamlets, are frustrated by rental e-bikes obstructing pavements and blocking access. Tower Hamlets Council has issued nearly 1,000 fines to operators in six months, while the Mayor of London seeks new government powers to regulate the sector.
Tower Hamlets3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 40
Community Safety · LewishamLewisham Refuses 548 Homes on Deptford Creek Over Tower Block Impact
Lewisham Council has refused plans for 548 homes in eight tower blocks on Deptford Creek, citing concerns over the impact on houseboats. Greenwich Council has deferred its decision on the remaining 254 homes.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 48- Crime Data · London
Southwark records most crime in south-east London during August
Southwark recorded the highest number of criminal offences in south-east London during August, with 3,784 reports. Theft was the most common offence, followed by violence against the person. Lewisham and Greenwich also saw high numbers of reported crimes.
London2 min readTrust 40 · Craft 60 · Hype 20 - Community Safety · London
£41m Government funding for Thames 'mega' heat network
A major new heat network along the River Thames is to receive £41 million in government funding. The project, which will run through seven London boroughs, aims to supply low-carbon heating to up to 650,000 homes.
London4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 - Crime Data · London
Six SE London Businesses Fined £325,000 for Illegal Workers
Six businesses across south-east London have been fined a total of £325,000 for employing staff who did not have the right to work in the UK. The penalties were issued between January 1 and March 31, with one company receiving a £90,000 fine.
London2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 75 · Hype 20 
Community Safety · LewishamLewisham and Greenwich councils to decide on 800-home Deptford development
Councillors in Lewisham and Greenwich will vote next week on plans for over 800 homes in tower blocks at Deptford Reach. The scheme, proposed for land by Deptford Creek, has divided planning officers.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 45- Crime Data · London
Home Counties See Higher Weapon Possession Rates Than London
A recent study analysing crime data from March 2025 to March 2026 found that several Home Counties police force areas experienced higher rates of weapon possession offences than London. Sussex recorded the highest rate among these areas, nearly double the London average.
London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41 
Community Safety · Tower Hamlets70 firefighters tackle Poplar flat blaze
Around 70 firefighters and ten fire engines were dispatched to a flat fire in Poplar in the early hours of Saturday. The blaze affected half of a flat on the 18th floor of a 22-storey residential block on Blackwall Way.
Tower Hamlets1 min readTrust 52 · Craft 60 · Hype 15
Community Safety · LewishamBlackheath fireworks display to expand to two days from 2027
Blackheath's annual fireworks display will expand to two days from 2027 after Lewisham Council's Licensing Sub-Committee approved the plans. Event organisers applied for a new licence to facilitate the change, which will see attendance potentially double.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Violent Crime · BromleyYouths shoot sleeping parakeets with catapults in Orpington park
Dozens of ring-necked parakeets have been found dead in Priory Gardens, Orpington, after being shot with catapults by youths. The Greenwich Wildlife Network is calling for stricter regulations on catapult sales to under-18s, as Bromley Council assists police in an investigation into the ongoing attacks.
Bromley3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 40
Community Safety · LondonLondon Marathon expands to two-day event in 2027
The London Marathon will become a two-day event in April 2027 for one year only, with 100,000 participants. Concerns have been raised by local representatives and businesses regarding potential disruption and loss of trade.
London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Elsewhere in the borough
- London
- Barking and Dagenham
- Barnet
- Bexley
- Brent
- Bromley
- Camden
- City of London
- Croydon
- Ealing
- Enfield
- Hackney
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Haringey
- Harrow
- Havering
- Hillingdon
- Hounslow
- Islington
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Kingston upon Thames
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Merton
- Newham
- Redbridge
- Richmond upon Thames
- Southwark
- Sutton
- Tower Hamlets
- Waltham Forest
- Wandsworth
- Westminster