The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Subject
Independent Office for Police Conduct
London Crime News has published 31 stories involving Independent Office for Police Conduct, from August 2026 to September 2026. Each one is scored for how well the original reporting stood up, and lists the reports it was written from.
Policing · HounslowPutney Pusher suspect's family accuse Met of lying after his death
The family of Nicholas Brandram, the suspect in the Putney Pusher case, have accused the Metropolitan Police of dishonesty and attempting to 'rewrite history' following his death. Brandram was found dead at his Chiswick home on 20 September 2026.
Hounslow4 min readTrust 58 · Craft 95 · Hype 35
Courts · GreenwichOfficers deny causing death of pregnant woman in Eltham crash
Two police officers have denied charges related to the death of a heavily pregnant woman in a high-speed crash on Eltham Road. PC Chris Johnson denies causing death by dangerous driving, while former officer Danny Tomkins denies dangerous driving.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 48 · Craft 63 · Hype 45
Courts · GreenwichMet Officer Denies Causing Pregnant Woman's Death
Metropolitan Police officer PC Chris Johnson has denied causing the death of Mariam Ahmed by dangerous driving. Ms Ahmed, 38, died in a high-speed collision on Eltham Road, Eltham, on 17 October 2024. Former PC Danny Tomkins also faces a dangerous driving charge.
Greenwich2 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 20
Policing · WandsworthSisters say Met Police 'negligent' in 'Putney pusher' probe
The sisters of Nicholas Brandram, the man suspected of being the 'Putney pusher', have accused the Metropolitan Police of negligence and recklessness. Brandram was arrested in June and released under investigation before his death on Tuesday.
Wandsworth4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 67 · Hype 41
Policing · WestminsterTwo Met officers dismissed for offensive remarks
Two Metropolitan Police officers, PC Mason O’Connor and PC Lloyd Hunter, have been dismissed from duty following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Both officers will be barred from future policing roles.
Westminster3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Violent Crime · Kensington and ChelseaKarnell Kelly dies after police chase into canal at Notting Hill Carnival
Karnell Kelly, 25, has died after entering a canal during a police chase at Notting Hill Carnival. Officers pulled him from the water on Sunday, August 31, and he later died in hospital. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating.
Kensington and Chelsea3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Policing · WestminsterIOPC probes police contact before man's canal death
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating police contact with Karnell Kelly, 25, who died after running from officers and entering the Grand Union Canal near Harrow Road. The investigation is ongoing.
Westminster3 min readTrust 62 · Craft 71 · Hype 20- Latest
Ex-West Midlands Chief Constable Investigated Over Maccabi Fan Ban
Former West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford is among five people being investigated by the IOPC over the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from a Europa League match. The probe focuses on intelligence briefings and planning for the event at Villa Park.
4 min readTrust 70 · Craft 75 · Hype 20 
LatestEx-officer Rikki Hall charged with rape and strangulation
Former South Wales Police officer Rikki Hall has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of non-fatal strangulation. The alleged offences occurred in Swansea in February 2024 while he was on duty. Hall also faces charges of firearm possession and two counts of misconduct in public office.
2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 20
LatestSeven dead in A66 crash linked to organised crime
A collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough resulted in the deaths of five young men and two police officers. Cleveland Police stated the incident is linked to serious and organised criminal activity, with 12 arrests made.
3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45- Courts · Croydon
Man dies in Croydon police custody
A 52-year-old man has died in police custody at Croydon's Windmill Road custody suite. He was arrested on August 19 and found unresponsive during cell checks early on August 21. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating.
Croydon2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 53 · Hype 20 
Transport Crime · HounslowMan dies after car and bus collide on Gunnersbury Avenue, Chiswick
A 38-year-old man died after a car and bus collided on Gunnersbury Avenue in Chiswick early on 20 August 2026. The car’s driver was arrested, and the bus driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Police are appealing for witnesses with dashcam footage.
Hounslow4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
Policing · LondonTwo BTP detectives referred to watchdog after Simon Levy murders
British Transport Police referred two detectives to the IOPC on 12 August 2025 over their investigation of sexual assaults by Simon Levy on the London Underground in October 2024. Levy, 40, was bailed multiple times before murdering two women and committing further rapes in 2025.
London4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
LatestSimon Levy jailed for life for murders of two women in London
Simon Levy, a registered sex offender, has been sentenced to a whole-life prison term for the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in London. The judge noted Levy deliberately selected women involved in sex work, exploiting their vulnerability. His history of sexual offending dates to 2018.
5 min readTrust 38 · Craft 28 · Hype 55
Policing · LondonMet Police expose 143 Al Fayed victims' emails in data breach
The Metropolitan Police accidentally revealed the email addresses of 143 victims of Mohamed Al Fayed in a group update. The force apologised and launched an internal investigation after the breach, which occurred while informing victims about interviews under Operation Cornpoppy.
London5 min readTrust 52 · Craft 85 · Hype 25
Policing · LondonMet Police downgraded double murderer Simon Levy to medium-risk before killings
The Metropolitan Police reduced convicted sex offender Simon Levy’s risk classification months before he murdered two women in 2025. The force apologised but defended its investigation, while the IOPC examines its management of Levy from 2021 to 2025. Victims’ families demand systemic change.
London5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 87 · Hype 30
Courts · LondonSimon Levy jailed for life for murders of two women in London
Simon Levy, 40, has been convicted of murdering two women and raping a third in London. The Met Police, British Transport Police and Crown Prosecution Service admitted failings in handling Levy, who was on bail as his attacks escalated. He will be sentenced on Wednesday at the Old Bailey.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 21
Policing · LondonCounter-terrorism police link Barnet murder suspect to Farage arson probe
Counter Terrorism Policing London has reopened its inquiry into an alleged arson attempt at Nigel Farage’s home in early 2025 after identifying a potential link to Joshua Kerry, who was charged last month with the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating a CTP London staff member for failing to pursue the line of inquiry earlier.
London5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 77 · Hype 45
Policing · LondonCounter-terrorism probe into Farage firebomb attack reopened after IOPC referral
Counter-terrorism officers have reopened an investigation into an alleged firebomb attack on Nigel Farage’s home after admitting errors in the original probe. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is now examining the conduct of a Counter-Terrorism Policing London staff member following a referral by the Met.
London4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 70 · Hype 30- Violent Crime · London
Counterterrorism police reopen Farage firebomb probe after Widdecombe death
Counterterrorism detectives have reopened an investigation into an alleged firebomb attack on Nigel Farage’s London home in April 2025, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. The force has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after officers probing Ann Widdecombe’s death identified an unexamined line of inquiry.
London4 min readTrust 56 · Craft 44 · Hype 30 
Violent Crime · LondonSimon Levy convicted of two murders and 11 sex attacks on London transport
Simon Levy, 40, was convicted of murdering two women and raping another while on bail. British Transport Police missed opportunities to recall him to prison after failing to organise an identity parade for three sexual assaults in October 2024. He is due to be sentenced on 12 August.
London6 min readTrust 66 · Craft 95 · Hype 35
Policing · HaringeyTwo officers investigated over Simon Levy murders in ̶ two women killed while he was on bail
Two Metropolitan Police officers face misconduct probes after Simon Levy, 40, murdered Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, while on bail. The IOPC investigation, triggered by a Met referral, spans Levy’s management from 2021 to 2025, including missed chances to remand him in custody.
Haringey6 min readTrust 66 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Policing · LondonIOPC probes Counter Terrorism officer over missed burglary link to Ann Widdecombe murder
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating a Counter Terrorism Policing London employee after an allegation that a 2025 attempted burglary inquiry was not properly pursued. The case was reopened following the murder of Ann Widdecombe, for which Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged on 20 July.
London4 min readTrust 66 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Policing · LondonCounter-terror police reopen 2025 burglary probe linked to Ann Widdecombe murder
Counter Terrorism Policing London has reopened an attempted burglary investigation from April 2025 as part of the murder inquiry into former MP Ann Widdecombe. The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after finding a potential lead it had not previously pursued.
London4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 52 · Hype 45
Policing · HaringeyMet Police failures let Tottenham killer murder twice, watchdog says
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating whether Met Police officers followed procedures after Simon Levy was released on licence in 2023. Levy, 34, of Beaufoy Road, Tottenham, murdered two women and raped a third while on bail in 2025. The Met admitted remand failures at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.
Haringey5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 80 · Hype 55
Policing · LondonMet officers under investigation over Simon Levy sex offender supervision
Two Metropolitan Police officers face misconduct proceedings after the Independent Office for Police Conduct began investigating alleged failures in the supervision of convicted sex offender Simon Levy. The probe covers his management from 2021 to his 2025 arrest.
London4 min readTrust 38 · Craft 60 · Hype 15- Violent Crime · London
Simon Levy jailed for life after murdering two women in Tottenham
Simon Levy, 40, was convicted of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in 2025, and raping a third woman. The Met Police acknowledged multiple failures, including not treating Valencia-Trujillo’s death as murder initially. Two officers face IOPC investigation for downgrading Levy’s risk level.
London6 min readTrust 55 · Craft 50 · Hype 55 
Policing · SouthwarkMet Officer Cleared of Misconduct in Chris Kaba Shooting, Commissioner Welcomes Decision
A Metropolitan Police officer who shot Chris Kaba in Streatham in 2022 will not face misconduct proceedings, the IOPC confirmed. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley called the decision a milestone but warned the accountability system remains unbalanced for officers and the public.
Southwark5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 30- Policing · London
Met firearms officer NX121 cleared of misconduct after four-year IOPC case
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has ruled that Met firearms officer NX121 will not face misconduct proceedings, ending a nearly four-year investigation. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley called the system 'out of balance' and warned it risks making London less safe.
London5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 50 · Hype 30 
Policing · LondonIOPC withdraws disciplinary case against Met sergeant in Chris Kaba shooting
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has dropped disciplinary proceedings against Sergeant Martyn Blake, the Metropolitan Police officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba in 2022. The decision follows a shift in the legal standard for police use of force, effective 30 June 2025, which the IOPC says would now classify the incident differently.
London5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 10
Policing · GreenwichMetropolitan Police taser man in Kidbrooke Grove welfare arrest
Metropolitan Police officers used a taser to arrest a man in Kidbrooke Grove, Blackheath, after responding to a welfare concern at 00:35 on 2 July. The man, in his 20s, was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and indecent exposure.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50