The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
metpolice
83 stories, newest first · page 4 of 5.
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 · LondonMet Police downgraded murderer Simon Levy’s risk before two women killed
Simon Levy, 40, was convicted of murdering Carmenza Valencia Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in 2025 after the Metropolitan Police reduced his risk classification. The force closed a rape investigation despite potential identification, while British Transport Police delayed charges for six months despite video evidence.
London6 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 70
Policing · WestminsterEleventh Met officer dismissed after Charing Cross misconduct findings
A Metropolitan Police officer has been dismissed and barred from rejoining the force after a misconduct hearing found he breached standards on authority, respect, and conduct. PC Richard Marus’s actions were captured in unaired footage from a BBC Panorama investigation into Charing Cross police station.
Westminster4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50- Violent Crime · Ealing
Alvin Gitahi convicted of murdering partner Vivienne Baraka in Ealing
Alvin Gitahi has been found guilty of murdering Vivienne Baraka, 35, at their Ealing home in March 2024. Police evidence included messages showing repeated abuse. Gitahi will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in October 2026. Baraka’s family called the verdict justice for their loss.
Ealing5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 80 · Hype 30 
Violent Crime · HounslowAxe attack on Brentford towpath leaves man with life-changing injuries
A man in his 40s was attacked with an axe on the Grand Union Canal towpath in Brentford on 4 August. Police have closed the path near Lock 99 while searching for the attacker, who remains at large. No arrests have been made.
Hounslow4 min readTrust 44 · Craft 60 · Hype 35- Policing · Lewisham
PC Adam Sahel convicted of assault after spraying colleague with PAVA at Catford station
PC Adam Sahel, 34, was found guilty of common assault at Southwark Crown Court on 5 August 2026 after spraying a junior colleague with PAVA spray at Catford police station in August 2023. He had previously been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Lewisham5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 80 · Hype 15 
Policing · LambethMet Police arrest Brixton man on stolen moped with Class A drugs and crowbar
A 28-year-old man was arrested in Brixton after police found MDMA, cocaine, cannabis, and £1,500 in cash on him during a stop. The arrest is part of a wider Met Police operation targeting gang violence, which has seen 238 charges and 38 weapons seized in a week.
Lambeth5 min readTrust 64 · Craft 95 · Hype 55
Policing · LondonMet Police closed harassment case against journalist probing Cambridge professor Jason Arday
The Metropolitan Police investigated journalist Jack Grove for harassment after he questioned Professor Jason Arday’s academic record and charity claims. The case was closed in February 2026. Cambridge University is conducting a separate inquiry into Arday’s qualifications and honorary appointments.
London5 min readTrust 78 · Craft 87 · Hype 68
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- Violent Crime · Islington
Four charged with attempted murder after Arsenal parade violence in Islington
Four people have been charged with attempted murder following violent incidents at Arsenal’s Premier League victory parade in Islington. Six people were stabbed, two police officers injured, and nine men are still sought by the Met, which deployed over 500 officers to manage the event.
Islington5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 70 - Violent Crime · Islington
Twelve charged after violent incidents mar Arsenal victory parade in Islington
Twelve people have been charged with offences including attempted murder and sexual assault following 29 arrests during Arsenal’s victory parade on 31 May. Police confirmed a racially aggravated assault and a late-night attack at the Kings Head pub left two men seriously injured.
Islington4 min readTrust 74 · Craft 80 · Hype 12 
Policing · LondonMet Police expand shoplifting evidence platform to eight more London boroughs
The Metropolitan Police are extending a digital evidence platform to eight additional boroughs after a pilot in six areas saw the proportion of cases leading to cautions or charges rise from 7.3% to 29.4%. Retailers including Boots and Greggs can now upload footage and statements without delay.
London4 min readTrust 58 · Craft 95 · Hype 30- Policing · London
Met Police tech quadruples shoplifter prosecutions in Barnet and London
A new Metropolitan Police system has increased the proportion of shoplifting cases with a positive outcome from 7.3% to 29.4%. Barnet retailers will join the scheme on 3 August 2026, allowing faster evidence submission and arrests.
London5 min readTrust 55 · Craft 50 · Hype 65 
Policing · Richmond upon ThamesFour men sought after Teddington ATM theft on Kingston Road
Police are searching for four men after an ATM was ripped from its pavement mounting outside a Londis in Teddington early on 29 July 2026. A blue car was used to drag the machine away, leaving debris on Kingston Road.
Richmond upon Thames4 min readTrust 66 · Craft 85 · Hype 55
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- Violent Crime · London
London knife crime statistics: what the figures count and what they leave out
How to interpret London knife crime data: knife-enabled classifications, borough totals, police recording, comparison periods and why one headline number cannot describe personal risk.
London7 min read - Policing · London
Stop and search in London: your rights and what the officer must explain
A plain-English guide to Metropolitan Police stop and search: what an officer should explain, what can be searched, how to get a record and where to raise a concern.
London6 min read 
Crime Data · LondonHow to read London crime statistics without drawing the wrong conclusion
A guide to London crime data from the Met, MOPAC and Home Office: what recorded crime counts, why street points are approximate and how to compare boroughs or months responsibly.
London7 min read
Community Safety · LondonHow to report a crime in London: 999, 101, online and on public transport
A practical guide to reporting crime in London: when to call 999, how to make a non-emergency Met Police report, when British Transport Police is responsible and what details to preserve.
London6 min read
Policing · LondonMet-Palantir AI contract blocked by London policing office over procurement breach
The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac) blocked a £50m contract between the Metropolitan Police and Palantir in May 2026, citing a 'clear and serious breach' of procurement rules. Palantir is suing, alleging the decision was based on ethics rather than procedure. A High Court hearing is set for January 2027.
London5 min readTrust 55 · Craft 65 · Hype 30