The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Subject
Kensington and Chelsea Council
London Crime News has published 6 stories involving Kensington and Chelsea Council, from August 2026 to August 2026. Each one is scored for how well the original reporting stood up, and lists the reports it was written from.
Community Safety · BarnetBarnet housing boss appointment sparks Grenfell fire inquiry criticism
The Barnet Group has appointed Laura Johnson as its permanent group director of development and property. Johnson previously served as director of housing at Kensington and Chelsea during the Grenfell Tower fire. A Green councillor has criticised the decision, citing findings from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Barnet3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Policing · BarnetGrenfell-linked housing boss given permanent role by Barnet Group
Laura Johnson, a former housing director at Kensington and Chelsea Council during the Grenfell Tower fire, has been permanently appointed as group director of development and property at The Barnet Group. The decision follows criticism from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and concerns raised by survivors.
Barnet3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaVardo Restaurant fined £75,705 after child’s foot crushed in window
Vardo Restaurant in Duke of York Square, Chelsea, has been fined £75,705 after a three-year-old child’s foot was crushed in a descending window in January 2022. The incident led to multiple operations and potential long-term complications. The court ruled the restaurant breached health and safety laws.
Kensington and Chelsea4 min readTrust 56 · Craft 87 · Hype 30
Violent Crime · Kensington and ChelseaWoman self-harms at Kensington and Chelsea Council service desk on Hornton Street
A woman injured herself at Kensington and Chelsea Council’s customer service centre on 17 June. The centre closed for the rest of the day and reopened the following afternoon. Emergency services, including London’s Air Ambulance, attended the mental health-related incident.
Kensington and Chelsea4 min readTrust 55 · Craft 65 · Hype 50
Community Safety · Kensington and ChelseaKensington and Chelsea approves 24-hour gambling arcade opposite Earl’s Court station
Kensington and Chelsea Council has granted Silvertime Amusements a 24-hour licence for a new gambling venue opposite Earl’s Court Tube station. The decision follows 346 objections and a planning refusal in April. The company must now win a planning appeal to proceed.
Kensington and Chelsea5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Policing · Kensington and ChelseaHigh Court bans late-night car meets across Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea Council has won a High Court injunction to prohibit late-night car meets in seven central London wards. Police can now use CCTV, social media or witness statements to prosecute drivers who gather between 6 pm and 7 am for racing, stunts or antisocial driving.
Kensington and Chelsea5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 80 · Hype 30