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214 stories · page 10 of 12
Parliament Hill Lido closes twice after bottle attack and brawls
Community Safety—16 Aug 2026, 14:064 min readParliament Hill Fields Lido in Hampstead Heath shut for two evenings in May after a man was struck with a bottle during a poolside fight. Two arrests were made, but no charges followed. New security rules now bar under-16s without a parent and include random bag searches.Read more
Brent Council and police face calls to act on Alperton biker meet-upsCommunity Safety—16 Aug 2026, 12:455 min readResidents in Alperton, Brent, are demanding action over weekly motorbike gatherings on Beresford Avenue, which they say cause persistent noise, litter and dangerous driving. Brent Council and police acknowledge the issue but enforcement remains limited, with the problem now referred to a multi-agency group.
Croydon to pilot GPS tags for repeat shoplifters after 4,796 thefts in a yearCommunity Safety—16 Aug 2026, 07:255 min readCroydon Council will explore GPS-tagging persistent shoplifters after 4,796 reported thefts in the town centre in the last 12 months. Retailers, who say they often do not report incidents due to lack of police action, have welcomed the plans. A start date for the pilot is unclear, pending funding.
Richmond Council rejects Heathrow expansion plans over resident harm
Community Safety—15 Aug 2026, 09:255 min readRichmond Council has formally opposed the Government’s draft national policy statement for Heathrow expansion, citing noise, air pollution and carbon emissions. The council’s response, submitted on 12 August, challenges the economic case for a third runway and calls for stronger protections for local communities before any parliamentary vote later this year.
Westminster Council moves to close Charing Cross soup kitchen over safety fears
Community Safety—15 Aug 2026, 07:254 min readWestminster Council has threatened to shut down a weekly soup kitchen in Charing Cross, citing noise, litter, and public safety concerns. The charity running the service says council demands, including a costly waste disposal licence, are making it 'impossible' to continue supporting homeless residents. Residents have complained about antisocial behaviour linked to the gatherings.
Lambeth Council to restore missing bins after Clapham High Street outcry
Community Safety—15 Aug 2026, 07:054 min readLambeth Council has pledged to reinstall litter bins on Clapham High Street and Wandsworth Road after councillors launched a petition. Residents reported around a dozen bins missing since June, with delays blamed on a planned improvement programme.
Paddington rooftop bar approved after Met Police drops crime concerns
Community Safety—15 Aug 2026, 07:054 min readWestminster City Council has granted a premises licence to Torino, an Italian restaurant and rooftop bar in Paddington Square, after the Met Police withdrew its objection. The decision follows agreements on conditions to prevent crime and public nuisance, including waiter-only alcohol service and noise restrictions.
Tower Hamlets bridge costs rise to £25m after £2.3m spent on consultants
Community Safety—15 Aug 2026, 07:055 min readTower Hamlets Council has spent £2.3 million on consulting fees for the South Dock Bridge, now estimated to cost £25 million. The project, delayed since 2017, may not proceed despite 96% resident support in a 2018 consultation. Developers and residents paid extra for the crossing, which remains unbuilt.
Cockfosters man charged with cocaine supply and weapons offences in Potters Bar
Community Safety—14 Aug 2026, 13:264 min readA 30-year-old man from Cockfosters has been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply, carrying a knuckle duster, and driving offences after an arrest in Potters Bar on 1 August. He is due in court on 8 September 2026, Hertfordshire Police confirmed.
Shortlands Library to stay closed for years after asbestos and sink hole found
Community Safety—14 Aug 2026, 13:264 min readShortlands Library in Bromley will remain closed for months or years after asbestos and a sink hole were discovered. The council says two large trees caused subsidence, requiring staged removal starting in autumn. A temporary site at St Mary’s Church will be improved while repairs are planned.
Avenue Club 2 in Bowes denied 4am licence after police objections
Community Safety—14 Aug 2026, 11:265 min readAvenue Club 2 in Green Lanes, Bowes, has been refused permission to extend its opening hours to 4am after Enfield Council’s licensing sub-committee cited concerns over compliance with existing licence conditions. Police objections played a key role in the decision, which the applicant may appeal within 21 days.
Alperton residents demand action as weekly bike meets disrupt Beresford Avenue
Community Safety—14 Aug 2026, 06:255 min readResidents of Alperton’s Grand Union housing development say weekly motorbike gatherings on Beresford Avenue cause excessive noise, dangerous driving and litter. Brent Council and police confirm the issue is under review by a multi-agency group, but locals report little visible enforcement despite long-standing complaints.
Clapham High Street hosts knife surrender after two fatal attacks
Community Safety—13 Aug 2026, 20:474 min readLambeth Council will hold an anti-knife surrender initiative on Clapham High Street on 18 August, after a 25-year-old man was fatally shot on Willington Road and a 22-year-old died in a stabbing on Tremadoc Road. A suspect is in hospital under arrest for the shooting.
Southall encampment cleared after weeks of safety fears on South Road
Community Safety—13 Aug 2026, 16:464 min readResidents and businesses in Southall reported drug use, litter and anti-social behaviour linked to an encampment near a derelict church on South Road. Police removed the site on 12 August 2026, and council teams cleared hazardous waste the same day.
Illyrian Grill House keeps licence after £40,000 illegal worker fine
Community Safety—13 Aug 2026, 13:254 min readIllyrian Grill House in Bowes will continue trading after Enfield Council’s licensing sub-committee refused to revoke its premises licence on 12 August 2026. The decision followed a £40,000 civil penalty paid in November 2025 for employing illegal workers, though councillors cited improved processes and no recent intelligence as reasons.
Shepherd's Bush and White City PSPO extended after resident support
Community Safety—13 Aug 2026, 07:065 min readHammersmith and Fulham Council has extended its Public Spaces Protection Order to cover more of Shepherd's Bush and White City after 107 of 121 consultation responses backed the move. Fines of up to £100 apply for breaches, with the order in force until June 2028.
Brent councils gain power to block new betting shops after rule change
Community Safety—11 Aug 2026, 18:255 min readBrent residents and councils can now refuse new betting shops after the government removed the ‘aim to permit’ rule from the Gambling Act 2005. The change follows a campaign by Brent Central MP Dawn Butler, who highlighted the borough’s 81 licensed gambling venues, outnumbering supermarkets in 17 wards.
Croydon Council proposes GPS tags for repeat shoplifters
Community Safety—11 Aug 2026, 18:054 min readCroydon Council plans to trial GPS ankle tags for persistent shoplifters, banning them from the town centre. Nearly 4,800 thefts were reported in the last year. Funding is not yet confirmed, but the council says the scheme could deter repeat offences.
Barnet installs 27 new CCTV cameras to target crime hotspots
Community Safety—11 Aug 2026, 17:264 min readBarnet Council is adding 27 mobile CCTV cameras this month, bringing the total to 60. The cameras, monitored around the clock by council and police teams, will cover areas with reported graffiti, fly-tipping, shoplifting and drug dealing. Locations were chosen using crime data and resident reports.