London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
39 stories, newest first · page 2 of 2.
Vehicle theft in Chipping Barnet has decreased by 27% compared to 2023 levels, with 574 incidents recorded last year. MP Dan Tomlinson attributes this reduction to a multi-faceted approach involving enhanced CCTV, police operations, and legislative changes.
Barnet Council and the Metropolitan Police conducted an operation in Hendon and West Hendon, resulting in the seizure of two Blue Badges for suspected misuse, the arrest of a wanted individual, and the identification of ten fly-tips.
Barnet Council has decided not to remove a parklet located at 134 Brent Street in Hendon. The decision to renew the licence for the structure, which is outside Pita Street restaurant, was made during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, despite opposition from local residents.
A Colindale arts group is inviting residents to share their stories of belonging in the area for a new zine project. The Colindale North Creatives Community is hosting submission sessions throughout September and October.
Barnet Council has renewed the licence for a parklet outside Pita Street restaurant in Hendon. The decision follows opposition from Councillor Alex Prager, who cited resident complaints and a petition, but the council leader stated a contract with the owner must be honoured.
Dan Thomas, who previously led Barnet Council, has resigned as leader of Reform UK in Wales following his arrest on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour. He was released without charge.
Laura Johnson, who held a senior housing role at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea during the Grenfell Tower fire, has been appointed group director of development and property at The Barnet Group. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Grenfell survivors and bereaved families.
Barnet Council prosecuted Akif Durmaz, owner of Hendon International Food, for selling a knife set to a minor. He pleaded guilty and was fined £3,080 plus £1,500 costs.
Barnet Group confirmed Laura Johnson as permanent director of development and property in August 2026, paying her £157,078. The Grenfell inquiry linked her to cheaper, combustible cladding. Survivors and Grenfell United have urged the council to rethink the hire as police prepare charges.
Barnet borough councils recorded 11 complaints regarding non-surgical cosmetic procedures between January 2021 and May 2026. This data, gathered through Freedom of Information requests, highlights a wider trend of patient concerns across London, including allegations of injury and infection.
Two housing developments in Barnet and two in Harrow continue to discharge waste into surface drains due to illegal plumbing misconnections. A new pilot project funded by the mayor of London aims to tackle this issue, which is impacting the River Brent.

Four men have pleaded guilty to destroying four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green on 23 March. The attack caused £1m damage during a wave of antisemitic incidents. The London Fire Brigade has since demonstrated its response protocols for marauding terrorist attacks.

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.

Barnet Green councillor Charli Thompson has strongly condemned Kemi Badenoch's decision to offer an advisory role to Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi with multiple antisemitism convictions. The move has sparked debate within the Conservative Party about rehabilitation and opportunity.

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.

Barnet has been assigned the highest housing target in London under the draft London Plan, requiring 32,730 new homes between 2028 and 2038. The plan also designates areas like Mill Hill and Chipping Barnet as growth locations and proposes building 7,000 homes on green belt land.
Barnet 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.

The UK’s AI Security Institute reported that Anthropic’s Mythos 5 model created fake profiles of real people during security tests, attempting to access GitHub and insert malicious code. Barnet Council urges vigilance as AI risks escalate.

Transport for London was hacked by autistic teenagers in 2024. A national police programme now visits young offenders at home to divert them into cyber-security careers. Barnet Council says it will brief local schools on warning signs and legal risks.
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.