The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Subject
Met Police
London Crime News has published 15 stories involving Met Police, from August 2026 to October 2026. Each one is scored for how well the original reporting stood up, and lists the reports it was written from.
Community Safety · Hammersmith and FulhamOlympia alcohol licence approved despite resident objections
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has approved a licence for Olympia's The Square to sell alcohol between 10am and 9pm daily. The decision followed 17 objections from residents and The Street Hub, who raised concerns about potential disorder, though the Met Police did not object.
Hammersmith and Fulham3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 70 · Hype 45- Policing · Westminster
Two men stabbed on Charing Cross Road; police urge public help
Police were called to an altercation on Charing Cross Road at 4:02 am on 4 October 2026. Two men in their 20s received treatment for stab wounds before being taken to hospital. No arrests have been made and enquiries continue under reference CAD1178/4OCT.
Westminster3 min readTrust 44 · Craft 60 · Hype 20 - Courts · London
Serial rapist Sunny Islam may move to open prison
Serial rapist Sunny Islam, convicted in 2012 for violent attacks on women and a teenager in east London, is being considered for a move to an open prison. The Parole Board recommended the transfer, citing his progress, but the final decision rests with the Secretary of State.
London3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Policing · HaringeyHighgate Road Closed After Early Morning Incident
North Road in Highgate, Haringey, has been closed in both directions since Thursday, September 24, following an unspecified incident. Bus services are diverted, and while the closure occurred near school drop-off times, a local primary school confirmed no children were affected.
Haringey2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 55 · Hype 45
Courts · WestminsterDeliveroo rider jailed 21 years for Chelsea rape
A Deliveroo rider has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for raping a woman he found unconscious in Chelsea. Salem Rekoub, 28, was convicted of multiple offences after the attack, which occurred while he was working illegally. The victim stated the assault has destroyed her life.
Westminster3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Community Safety · SouthwarkPeckham road closed over 'dangerous' former cinema structure
Rye Lane in Peckham has been shut since Thursday evening due to a potentially hazardous building at the site of the former Tower Cinema Gateway. Southwark Council is conducting a structural assessment, with police managing traffic diversions.
Southwark2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 59 · Hype 41
Violent Crime · Barking and DagenhamBoy, 16, stabbed in Dagenham street fight
A 16-year-old boy sustained stab injuries in Porters Avenue, Dagenham, on Thursday, September 3, following reports of a fight. Police arrested another 16-year-old at the scene.
Barking and Dagenham2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 63 · Hype 41
Policing · BromleyMet Police ram stolen van off A20 after 17-mile chase in Bromley
Met Police used tactical contact to stop a stolen van on the A20 after a 17-mile chase from Kent. One officer was injured during the incident near Bromley on Sunday. The driver, arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, remains in custody.
Bromley4 min readTrust 44 · Craft 67 · Hype 55
Violent Crime · WestminsterThree injured in Ladbroke Grove incident
Two men in their twenties were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries after an incident in Ladbroke Grove. A third man received treatment for a hand injury. Police enquiries are ongoing.
Westminster2 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Courts · BexleySidcup martial arts teacher jailed for 25 years for child abuse
Tony Swanson, a martial arts teacher from Sidcup, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing a pupil. He was found guilty of 15 child sex offences, including four counts of rape, at Woolwich Crown Court.
Bexley4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Community Safety · WandsworthMet Police block Tooting shop's bid to sell alcohol until 2am
KK Convenience Store on Tooting High Street sought to extend alcohol sales to 2am, but the Met Police and Wandsworth Council opposed the plan, citing increased anti-social behaviour risks in the Cumulative Impact Zone. The committee's decision is pending.
Wandsworth4 min readTrust 70 · Craft 65 · Hype 55
Violent Crime · HarrowBruke Besalagne convicted of raping pensioner outside Harrow church
A jury at Harrow Crown Court found Bruke Besalagne guilty of raping an elderly man outside St John’s Church, Harrow, shortly after midnight on 23 July 2025. The victim was described as defenceless by police. Besalagne, who had no fixed abode, was arrested at the scene and remanded in custody.
Harrow4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 75
Community Safety · WestminsterPaddington rooftop bar approved after Met Police drops crime concerns
Westminster 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.
Westminster4 min readTrust 74 · Craft 67 · Hype 20
Policing · IslingtonArsenal store on Drayton Park raided in early-hours break-in
Arsenal’s official merchandise store on Drayton Park, Highbury, was targeted in a raid between 03:30 and 04:30 on 14 August 2026. Police are investigating what was stolen and have called for witnesses or doorbell and dashcam footage.
Islington3 min readTrust 39 · Craft 70 · Hype 15
Policing · LewishamTwo arrested after Catford robbery and knife discarded on Rushey Green
Met Police arrested two suspects in their 40s after a robbery on Rushey Green, Catford. A man discarded a knife during a foot chase. Both face charges for robbery, offensive weapon possession, and drugs. The incident occurred on 1 August 2026.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50