The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Subject
Merton Council
London Crime News has published 6 stories involving Merton Council, from August 2026 to November 2026. Each one is scored for how well the original reporting stood up, and lists the reports it was written from.
Community Safety · MertonMitcham Tenant's Home Collapses Amid Cockroach Infestation
A Mitcham tenant, Shem Barnes-Smith, is living in a cockroach-infested home where a ceiling collapsed on October 24, causing significant water damage. He has complained over 100 times in three years to his housing provider, Aves Housing. Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP is involved, and Merton Council plans to inspect the property.
Merton3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 45
Community Safety · MertonMerton Council faces criticism over Burn Bullock pub enforcement
Owners of the Burn Bullock pub in Mitcham are still storing cars on their site, defying a Merton Council enforcement notice. The Grade II-listed building suffered fire damage in April 2024 and is on the Heritage at Risk Register, prompting criticism of the council's enforcement record.
Merton4 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45
Community Safety · MertonMerton Council proposes £500 fines for engine idling and e-scooter use
Merton Council is considering introducing fines of up to £500 for engine idling, public nitrous oxide use, and riding e-scooters in parks. A six-week public consultation on the proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders begins on 21 September 2026.
Merton4 min readTrust 64 · Craft 87 · Hype 45
Transport Crime · MertonMerton Council yellow box fine overturned
A motorist has successfully appealed a £160 penalty charge notice issued by Merton Council for stopping in a yellow box junction on Haydons Road, Wimbledon. A traffic campaigner stated the council misinterpreted the law regarding these junctions.
Merton3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 60 · Hype 45
Community Safety · MertonMitcham street drinking PSPO expires with no replacement plan
Merton Council’s borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for street drinking expired on 25 July 2025, leaving police without powers to confiscate alcohol in Mitcham town centre. A café owner reports police calls 3-4 times weekly, while the council says it is gathering evidence but has no replacement plan.
Merton5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 58
Community Safety · MertonMerton Council approves 11-storey Mitcham scheme despite heritage group warning
Merton Council has approved a 249-home redevelopment in Mitcham town centre, including buildings up to 11 storeys. The Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage group says the decision contradicts the council’s Local Plan and has demanded an emergency policy review.
Merton5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 20