The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
metropolitanpolice
659 stories, newest first · page 7 of 33.
Courts · LewishamMelbourne Thompson guilty of rape and robbery in Catford
Melbourne Thompson, 41, has been found guilty of rape and robbery following an attack on a woman in Catford. He faces sentencing on December 4 at the Old Bailey.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 66 · Craft 70 · Hype 35
Policing · BarnetProlific offender's early release costs police £1,887
A prolific offender, deemed high risk, was released under a government scheme and caught stealing from two supermarkets within 24 hours. The incident consumed 27 police hours and cost £1,887, prompting criticism from local councillors about the scheme's impact on policing.
Barnet3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 45- Courts · City of London
Saleswoman jailed for four years over faked claims
A saleswoman has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for perverting the course of public justice. Louise Gallagher fabricated a doctor's note for cancer treatment and lied to the Metropolitan Police about a witness during employment tribunal claims against two companies.
City of London4 min readTrust 68 · Craft 77 · Hype 45 
Courts · LambethFormer Essex cricketer Robin Das to face rape trial in 2028
Former Essex cricketer Robin Das, 24, has appeared in court charged with two counts of rape. The alleged offences took place in Brixton in March 2024. A five-day trial is scheduled for January 2028 at Inner London Crown Court.
Lambeth2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 20
Community Safety · IslingtonIslington school evacuated after hoax call
Lift Beacon High in Islington was evacuated on Thursday, October 8, following a hoax call. Students were sent home as a precaution on police advice, with the school reopening as normal the following day. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident.
Islington1 min readTrust 30 · Craft 58 · Hype 45
Violent Crime · NewhamMan stabbed on Plaistow Road; attacker still sought
A man in his 20s was taken to hospital after being stabbed on Plaistow Road in Newham on October 8. No arrests have been made and police are appealing for information.
Newham2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Courts · BexleyBexley man jailed for three years for leading monkey torture network
A 30-year-old man from Bexley has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison for his role in a global network that tortured and killed monkeys. Bartosz Poklek admitted running the ring between June 2023 and September 2025, distributing thousands of abuse videos and directing 'abuse on demand' content.
Bexley3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45
Violent Crime · SouthwarkBermondsey man charged with murder after stabbing victim dies
A 60-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of Raymond Hardinges, 53, who sustained stab wounds in Bermondsey on August 2. Hardinges died in hospital on August 29.
Southwark2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 55 · Hype 45
Crime Data · LondonOver 100 suspected stolen phones seized in North London raid
A police raid in North London has resulted in the seizure of over 100 suspected stolen mobile phones. Five individuals have been arrested and charged as part of a wider Metropolitan Police operation targeting phone theft across the capital.
London3 min readTrust 40 · Craft 55 · Hype 45
Violent Crime · EalingMan shot dead at Acton memorial service named
Levi Davidson, 40, was shot and killed on Braybrook Street in Acton on October 2. The incident occurred during a memorial service attended by 40-50 people, including children. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie is leading the Metropolitan Police murder investigation.
Ealing3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45- Crime Data · London
Man arrested after phones recovered from London pond
Metropolitan Police officers recovered six phones from a London pond after a suspected thief, aged 21, jumped into the water to evade capture on an e-bike. The incident was part of a wider crackdown on mobile phone theft across the capital.
London2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41 - Policing · London
Met Police Arrest 711 in September Phone Theft Crackdown
The Metropolitan Police arrested 711 individuals during a month-long operation in September targeting phone theft and robbery. The crackdown also resulted in the recovery of hundreds of suspected stolen mobile phones and the seizure of illegally modified e-bikes.
London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 45 
Violent Crime · Hammersmith and FulhamMan fatally shot at memorial gathering in Hammersmith
Levi Davidson, 40, was fatally shot on Braybrook Street in Hammersmith on October 2. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident, which occurred during a memorial gathering attended by dozens of people, including children.
Hammersmith and Fulham2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 63 · Hype 41- Community Safety · London
Eleven arrested in London protests marking October 7 anniversary
Eleven people were arrested in London on Wednesday during protests marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks. Incidents included alleged incitement of racial hatred outside the Board of Deputies in Camden and public order offences at student marches.
London3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 61 · Hype 41 
Violent Crime · LewishamFiona Holm murder: Killer Carl Cooper jailed for 35 years, body still missing
Carl Cooper has been sentenced to a minimum of 35 years for the murder of Fiona Holm, who was last seen in June 2023. Her body has not been found, and police are re-issuing an appeal for information.
Lewisham2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 50 · Hype 41- Community Safety · City of London
Palestine march to bring 10,000 protesters to Whitehall
Central London braces for the National March for Palestine on Saturday, October 10, with an estimated 10,000 demonstrators expected. The Metropolitan Police will impose conditions on the march, which starts at Victoria Embankment and ends in Whitehall, deploying several hundred officers.
City of London3 min readTrust 40 · Craft 60 · Hype 40 
Violent Crime · BexleyNazire Koreli: Bexley Police Appeal Two Years After Welling Woman Vanished
Nazire Koreli, 56, was last seen near her Welling home in September 2024 and reported missing five months later. Police have conducted searches, and a man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail.
Bexley3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Violent Crime · Kensington and ChelseaMan injured, two arrested after Kensington Church Street fight
A man was taken to hospital with head injuries following a fight on Kensington Church Street. Two individuals, aged 18 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. The incident led to the closure of Kensington High Street.
Kensington and Chelsea2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 61- Latest
£20,000 reward offered for information on Nazire Koreli disappearance
A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for information regarding the disappearance of Nazire Koreli, 56, who vanished from Welling in September 2024. A man was arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail. The Metropolitan Police continue to investigate.
2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Violent Crime · BrentPolice search Kilburn High Road after reports of teens with knives
A police helicopter and officers on foot searched Kilburn High Road on Tuesday evening after reports of two teenagers carrying knives. No arrests were made and no injuries were reported.
Brent1 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 65