The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
westminster
81 stories, newest first · page 4 of 5.
- Policing · Westminster
Detective Sergeant Charged with Five Counts of Sexual Assault
Metropolitan Police Detective Sergeant Prakash Patel faces five charges of sexual assault. He was arrested in April 2025 and suspended from duty, with the case referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Westminster2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15 
Violent Crime · WestminsterMan taken to major trauma centre after Leicester Square incident
A man has been taken to a major trauma centre following an incident in Leicester Square on Sunday, August 30. The London Ambulance Service attended the scene after being called at 6.03am.
Westminster2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 50 · Hype 45
Community Safety · WestminsterWestminster protest restrictions imposed by Met Police
An anti-Islam protest organised by UKIP's Nick Tenconi has faced significant restrictions from the Metropolitan Police. The march, originally planned for Edgware Road, will now proceed from Hyde Park Corner to Downing Street with a set time limit.
Westminster3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
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
Policing · Westminster330 Banned from Notting Hill Carnival as Police Target Violence
Over 330 individuals have been banned from attending the Notting Hill Carnival through bail conditions as part of a large-scale police operation. Raids have also targeted suspected robbery gangs, and numerous weapons have been seized across London.
Westminster3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 45
Courts · WestminsterPrince Charles Cinema faces landlord rent rise battle
The Prince Charles Cinema is heading to court to contest its landlord's demands for a rent increase and the addition of a break clause. The cinema, operating since the 1960s, has garnered significant public support and is designated an Asset of Community Value.
Westminster3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45- Policing · Westminster
7,000 officers to police Notting Hill Carnival's 60th year
Over 7,000 police officers will be deployed across west London for the 60th Notting Hill Carnival. Commander Claire Smart highlighted preventing serious violence and protecting women and girls as key priorities for the event.
Westminster3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 20 - Community Safety · Westminster
Met Police restrict UKIP anti-Islam march in Westminster
The Metropolitan Police have imposed restrictions on a UKIP anti-Islam march planned for central London this weekend, moving the demonstration from Edgware Road to Hyde Park Corner. The decision follows concerns from local businesses and residents about potential serious disorder.
Westminster3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45 
Policing · WestminsterMet Police officer sacked over vile comments about homeless people
Metropolitan Police officer PC Lloyd Hunter has been sacked following a misconduct hearing in Sutton. He was filmed making derogatory comments about homeless people and expressing eagerness to use his Taser, with the covert filming taking place in November 2024 at Charing Cross police station.
Westminster3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 45
Policing · WestminsterEdgware Road Station Closed Amid Police Incident
Edgware Road Tube station was closed on Friday evening due to a significant police incident. The closure caused widespread traffic disruption in the Westminster area, with multiple road closures in place.
Westminster2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 53 · Hype 65
Policing · WestminsterMet Police failed trafficking victims linked to Mohamed Al Fayed, survivors say
Four survivors of trafficking linked to the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed say the Metropolitan Police did not refer them to the National Referral Mechanism when they reported abuse. The Home Office has confirmed at least five survivors, but police only began offering referrals in April 2026.
Westminster6 min readTrust 56 · Craft 87 · Hype 35
Policing · WestminsterOxford Street to get permanent facial recognition cameras
Live facial recognition cameras will be installed on Oxford Street, scanning faces of passers-by against a watchlist of wanted suspects. The Metropolitan Police and Mayor Sadiq Khan support the move, citing crime reduction, while human rights groups warn of increased surveillance without legal safeguards.
Westminster5 min readTrust 64 · Craft 95 · Hype 68- Violent Crime · London
Counterterrorism police reopen Farage firebomb probe after Widdecombe death
Counterterrorism detectives have reopened an investigation into an alleged firebomb attack on Nigel Farage’s London home in April 2025, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. The force has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after officers probing Ann Widdecombe’s death identified an unexamined line of inquiry.
London4 min readTrust 56 · Craft 44 · Hype 30 
Policing · WestminsterMet PC Akbar Arabi dismissed after driving BMW uninsured in Fitzrovia
PC Akbar Arabi was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police and barred from future policing roles after being stopped driving a BMW without a licence, insurance or ID in Fitzrovia. A disciplinary hearing ruled his conduct breached professional standards.
Westminster4 min readTrust 56 · Craft 67 · Hype 35
Crime Data · LondonLondon rape charge rate falls to 3.4% as reports rise across capital
London recorded 28,203 sexual offences, including 9,949 rapes, in the year ending March 2026. The charge rate for rape dropped to 3.4%, while Westminster had the highest rate of sexual offences per resident in England and Wales.
London5 min readTrust 62 · Craft 77 · Hype 30
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 · Westminster
Stella Gollovena charged with four counts of wounding after Covent Garden stabbings
A woman has been charged with wounding four men in a daytime stabbing on Endell Street, Covent Garden. The victims, aged 34 to 56, were treated and discharged from hospital. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the charges and remanded the suspect in custody.
Westminster4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50 
Policing · WestminsterMet PC Akbar Arabi dismissed after uninsured BMW drive in Westminster
PC Akbar Arabi was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police after an accelerated misconduct hearing found he drove a BMW without insurance and performed dangerous manoeuvres in Westminster. Commander Katie Lilburn ruled his actions criminal and damaging to public trust.
Westminster5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 42 · Hype 48
Violent Crime · WestminsterFour men stabbed in Covent Garden, 47-year-old woman arrested
Four men aged 34 to 52 were taken to a major trauma centre after being stabbed on Endell Street, Covent Garden. A 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault. Police continue to appeal for witnesses.
Westminster5 min readTrust 40 · Craft 55 · Hype 65
Violent Crime · WestminsterFour hospitalised after stabbing on Endell Street, Covent Garden
Four people were taken to hospital following a stabbing on Endell Street, Covent Garden, on 15 October 2024. Police have not named suspects or released victim details. The area remains cordoned off while investigations continue.
Westminster4 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 65