Search the Community

Three Metropolitan Police officers face a misconduct hearing over breaching standards of "equality and diversity" after Team GB sprinter was stopped and searched 12 months ago. Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams Date - 2nd July 2021 By - Chloe Livadeas A number of Met officers are still under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) one year since the social media storm stop search of GB athlete Bianca Williams. Ms Williams accused the force of “racially profiling” her, and her partner, Ricardo dos Santos, when they were handcuffed and separated from their baby last July. The three officers were already subject to a misconduct investigation for various potential breaches of police standards of professional behaviour relating to the use of force; duties and responsibilities; and authority, respect and courtesy. At the time of the furore the Met's PSD reviewed the incident twice and decided no action should be taken against the officers involved The Independent Office for Police Conduct said: “After reviewing a range of new evidence, they were informed they are now subject to an investigation for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour relating to equality and diversity, which requires officers to act with fairness and impartiality and not to discriminate unlawfully or unfairly. “Two of those officers are also now being investigated for potential breaches of the standards relating to honesty and integrity, requiring them to be honest and act with integrity at all times. “Collectively, these alleged breaches amount to potential gross misconduct.” Three other police officers are also still being investigated over the incident a year ago. One is being investigated for potential breaches of the standards relating to “equality and diversity, and duties and responsibilities”. A further two officers also face an inquiry over behaviour relating to use of “force; duties and responsibilities; and authority, respect and courtesy”. The force said in a statement: "We are aware three MPS officers are subject to a gross misconduct investigation by the IOPC in relation to this matter. Another three officers are being investigated for misconduct for potential breaches of standards of professional standards. The MPS continues to fully co-operate with the IOPC investigation." No officer is suspended or subject to restricted duties, they added. Earlier this year, the Met made ten recommendations following a review into the use of handcuffs where an arrest has not been made. They have now amended the stop and search e-form to include any use and justification for handcuffs pre-arrest. Ms Williams said: “The handcuffs were painful and it was incredibly humiliating to be separated from my baby, in handcuffs outside my home with neighbours walking past. “While I welcome better training in the Met on the use of handcuffs, the trauma of the incident did not start or end with the handcuffing. It was racial stereotyping and prejudice. “I would like to see some effective bias training in the police as well as better training on the use of force and not just in relation to handcuffs.” View On Police Oracle

Poor guy, you can just see the aftermath when the video starts. (No NATO helmets on there). They seemed outnumbered, but were putting on a good fight. If only HMG had stronger leadership, we might prevent some of this violence. I don't know, but stay safe out there.

Liverpool's first black MP has accused police officers of racially profiling her and her family on a night out. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-57765013

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-54783564

A Scotland Yard commander who led the force’s drug strategy and heads misconduct hearings has been suspended over allegations of drug misuse. https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8593539/amp/Police-commander-charge-drug-strategy-suspended-alleged-drug-misuse.html

Claims of racial bias in lockdown enforcement have been played down by the capital's police force. The Metropolitan Police said hot weather was the biggest driver of breaches and the majority were young, white men. The Met issued a S35 dispersal order for Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill yesterday following a brawl involving up to 50 people Date - 3rd June 2020 By - Chris Smith The findings were released in an analysis by the Met of its enforcement data which also gave an early explanation of why so few fixed penalty notices have been issued and arrests made in a city with a population of nearly 8.5m. More BAME people were subject to FPNs but the force said the majority were white males – more than any other ethnic group. It follows claims by the campaigning group Liberty Investigates that BAME people were disproportionately being issued with enforcement penalties across the country. A separate academic review of the Met’s data concluded that Black people were issued with 26% of fines despite making up 12% of the capital’s population. The Met has issued 973 FPNs and made 36 arrests for a breach of the regulations. The analysis by the force was that in the early stages of lockdown before the rules were relaxed, hot weather and Bank Holidays were when the majority of enforcements were made. Most encounters with the public were based on the tactics of “engage and explain” and enforcement was usually linked to other offences being committed. The Met also explained that a rigorous quality assurance process had been used to monitor the use of FPNs to ensure officers were acting proportionately. Assistant Commissioner Mark Simmons said: "From the start, policing this new legislation has been complex and I'm proud of how both the public and police in London have responded. "Our aim has been to protect London, and not to unnecessarily criminalise where we can avoid it. We have seen, overall, good compliance when we have intervened, meaning in most cases the need for issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice or arrest has been unnecessary.” Concerns over racial bias in policing have been raised by campaigners at a sensitive time for forces. It follows the decision by the Independent Office of Police for Police Conduct to review Taser use and events in the United States. Police leaders have challenged the IOPC and issued strong condemnation of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. The Met said the reasons for disproportionate BAME enforcements were “complex and reflect a range of factors”. This includes interactions in areas of significant proactive policing in crime hot-spots and both the variation in the age-profile and geographical distribution of ethnic groups in London. AC Simmons said the powers had only been used when officers absolutely needed to. He added: "However, as well as playing our part in protecting London from the spread of Covid-19, throughout this period the Met has been determined to remain proactive and target those involved in violence and wider criminality. “Where people have been arrested for another criminal offence whilst also breaching the regulations, they have also been arrested for this breach thus increasing the apparent number of arrests for Covid-19 regulation breaches.” View On police Oracle

DC attached to Prison Investigation Team helps achieve maximum sentence for man who threw urine at female prison officer. Date - 22nd April 2020 By - Gary Mason A Met detective used an obscure piece of 1861 legislation and sourced a rare form of forensic testing to ensure a man who threw urine at a prison officer got the maximum sentence. Michael Raheem, 22, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for administering poison with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy, after throwing his urine at a prison officer in HMP Belmarsh. Raheem was on remand for robbery when the incident took place. He was subsequently sentenced to six years for the robbery; the 20-month sentence to is to run consecutively. The incident took place on 6 October 2018 when Raheem approached a female prison officer holding a shower gel bottle filled with yellow liquid, which he proceeded to spray her with. He was detained by staff; and the half-full bottle was retained. An investigation was launched by officers from the South East Prison Investigation Team. Knowing the only other charge option for Raheem would be common assault - carrying a maximum sentence of six months –DC Natalie Ford, believed that he should face prosecution under Section 24 of the Offences Against the Person Act (OAPA) 1861; which calls for proof that a noxious substance has been used with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy. In the Met, urine is usually only tested for the presence of other substances such as drugs or alcohol; no test was previously sourced to evidentially confirm to a court that a previously unknown liquid was urine. This meant the Met’s forensics team needed to source analytical capability to support this investigation. Therefore, a review of forensic testing capability, offered by forensic providers, was conducted, identifying a company that was able to examine the liquid and confirm beyond reasonable doubt that it was urine – making it applicable under the legislation. Detective Chief Inspector John Massey, from the South East Command Unit, said: “This conviction shows a real persistence and flair for innovation on the part of the officers involved; demonstrating the extra mile the Met will go to ensure the safety of, and justice for, front line staff.” On Friday 17 April, Raheem appeared via Skype before Woolwich Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to the offence. View On police Oracle

"There's such a bad stereotype of black people joining the police - I want to break away from that." https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/newsbeat-51099169

Police Oracle deciphers the untruths around the one-man observation box in Trafalgar Square. Date - 14th December 2019 By - Chloe Livadeas Have you wondered where Britain’s smallest police station was? Ever noticed the circular cupboard in the south-east corner of Trafalgar Square? Well, in fact, contrary to popular culture, this was never a police station but a one-man lookout post to better monitor the protestors who convened at Trafalgar Square and summon back-up when needed. After the telegraph was invented, the police began installing boxes around the country to better observe the public, a sort of low tech equivalent to today's networked CCTV cameras. At the same time, Trafalgar Square opened to the public in 1844 and was the point in London where the poor communities of the East End came head-to-head with the wealthy in the West. A place to protest was born. Crowds began to congregate here in greater numbers through the second half of the nineteenth century. After the Bloody Sunday riots of November 1887, which saw violent clashes between the public and the Met, the force decided that in order to be able to lay the law of the land, the protesters needed to have a closer eye kept on them. A temporary, wooden police box was erected next to the entrance to the tube station, but since the London Underground were planning refurbishments, this would need to be removed at some point. Following the riots of the General Strike of 1926, the need for a more permanent police presence was officially acknowledged. The second piece of misinformation around the lookout post lies in the name of the man who had the idea for the box in the first place, Sir Lionel Edwards. There was a Sir Lionel Earle who was the permanent secretary to the Office of Works from 1912 until 1933, and a Mr G Edwards of the Met Police who were in negotiatians together at the time. Somewhere in the history books both names were merged to make Sir Lionel Edwards, and most publications now have named him as the inventor. The original documents which show the correspendence between the two men regarding the new box reveals that the head of the Office of Works, Lord Peel, believed the current wooded one was an "exceptionally ignoble specimen of telephone apparatus". Eventually, an agreement was reached to convert the granite base of one of the lamposts into the new lookout. The plans, which were estimated to cost £550, went ahead in 1926. The lamp post plinth was hollowed out and slits carved for an officer to look out of. It was big enough to fit one officer in, or two very skinny ones. It had a connecting line to the nearby Canon Row Police Station. A blue light on top which would flash whenever contact was being made, alerting other officers when trouble was afoot or notifying them of an incoming call if they were outside. The third myth lies in the story that this light came from Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory. The observation box remained serving up until the 1970s when radio communications made it obsolete. The structure was demoted and is used nowadays as a broom cupboard by Westminster council cleaners. View On Police Oracle

A suspected far-right sympathiser is feared at large in the Metropolitan police, having got away with scrawling a swastika in a secure area of a police station, the Guardian has learned. https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/25/swastika-was-scrawled-in-area-of-police-station-accessible-only-to-staff

In mobile phone footage posted on Twitter two men can be seen punching and kicking the male and female officer as scores of people pass without intervening. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6404293/Gang-yobs-attack-two-policemen-shocking-London-street-assault.html A lucky escape for one of the officer's, passing bus could have easily resulted in serious injury 😡

Force hopes licensing its marque will act as recruitment drive to 'inspire future generations'. Date - 1st November 2018 By - Nick Hudson - Police Oracle A businessman tasked with turning Britain’s biggest police force into a global merchandising brand has spoken of the payback in being able to help put “bobbies on the beat” in his home town. Company founder Will Stewart says it is an honour The Point.1888 has been chosen to launch a ground-breaking initiative for the Metropolitan Police – designed to “inspire future generations” to join the world-famous ranks. Brand Met could include clothing, homeware, toys, stationery and souvenirs under the famous MPS logo, with the partnership set to run until May 2021. In return, it is hoped the commercial tie-up with the brand specialists behind Tate galleries, Olympic Team GB and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home will raise hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time when the force's budget has been slashed by millions. Licensing the Met marque will help generate significant income to reinvest in front-line police services, train existing staff and build greater affiliation with, and support for the service, the force believes. A force spokesman told Police Oracle: “The Metropolitan Police Service is internationally renown and part of the fabric of London. “Much like merchandise from the NYPD is highly sought after by visitors to New York, we expect similar interest from both Londoners and tourists for merchandise and brand association from the Metropolitan Police.” Permission has been given to the Brentwood-based firm for images including the New Scotland Yard spinning sign – and officers on patrol – to be used on the products. However anything that mimics the force's uniforms is off limits. The forced added: "Absolutely no products will be produced which directly reflect the uniform of the Metropolitan Police Service and any products which attempt to do so will be charged with intellectual property infringement." The Point.1888 managing director Mr Stewart said: "I grew up in London, so to be able to generate revenue that puts more bobbies on the beat in my home town is an honour." Transport for London is also a partner in the deal, having brokered its own successful range of gifts and merchandise. In October 2016 Police Oracle reported that the Met was investigating how it could make more use of its branding, merchandise and artefacts in order to plug some of its forthcoming budget gap. View On Police Oracle

A Special Constable who is awaiting sentencing for a string of serious criminal offences has been dismissed without notice. Met Police News This is Local London News

Britain's biggest police force is asking retired detectives to go back to their jobs to help solve a staffing crisis. Full Story - Sky News Is this the start of budget cuts being reversed? Or is that wishful thinking?

On 16th March 2017, committed police supporters @PoliceCommander and @DC_ARVSgt will host an evening with acclaimed author and former prisoner of war John Nichol at New Scotland Yard raising funds for the Police Dependants’ Trust. With an evening of great company at the new home of the Metropolitan Police, guests will hear the astonishing personal story of best-selling author and captured airman John Nichol. Tickets at £10 are only available to Police personnel, and can be bought online here. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Police Dependants’ Trust, and we are grateful for the kind support from Police Oracle who have sponsored the event, and to the Metropolitan Police for providing the venue. Describing himself as an ‘ordinary guy who just happened to find himself in extraordinary circumstances, John Nichol was shot down during the first Gulf War in 1991. The first the world saw of RAF navigator Flight Lieutenant John Nichol was as a tortured British prisoner-of-war, beaten and humiliated by his captors. The ensuing pictures were flashed around the world and became an enduring symbol of the 1991 Gulf war and would change John’s life forever. Tickets are strictly limited and include drinks and light refreshments courtesy of Police Oracle. All proceeds will be donated to the Police Dependants’ Trust. – THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO POLICE PERSONNEL ONLY – Date: 16th March 2017 Time: 6pm – 8pm Location: New Scotland Yard, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1A 2JL Tickets are £10 and can be booked at www.pdtrust.org/tickets

Link to Evening Standard Article

Terror review suggests London police forces should merge By Nick Beake Home Affairs Correspondent, BBC News 28 October 2016 London Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) officers during a Marauding Terrorist Firearms Attack Training exercise Image caption The review makes a total of 127 recommendations A major review of London's ability to deal with a terror attack has suggested the three police forces serving the capital could be merged. Lord Harris of Haringey said the Home Office should consider combining the Met Police, the City of London Police and the British Transport Police (BTP). The review was ordered by mayor Sadiq Khan to assess London's security. Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said there was "good argument" for a merger, but others had concerns. Saying the current set-up was "confusing" and the move would save money, Sir Bernard added: "We should get improved operational effectiveness and that's what this report is talking about: how to respond to a terrorist incident - would we respond better together? And I think we would." But the City of London Police said the paper itself had noted that merging forces would cause "significant disruption". In his review Lord Harris, a security adviser who chaired the Metropolitan Police Authority, concluded that any response to a terror attack would now be "substantially faster and more effective" than five years ago. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Lord Harris during a routine operation with British Transport Police officers Image caption The mayor announced the review with Lord Harris at Liverpool Street station in May But, he said, even though the intelligence agencies and the counter-terrorist police operating in London were among the best in the world, the city should be prepared for an attack with multiple fatalities. The review also found that, once the Met had completed its recruitment of 600 extra firearms officers, there would be no need for a further increase. To do so "would be at the cost of transforming the look and feel of our capital city", it said. A total of 127 recommendations were made in the paper. line Recommendations included in the review Armed police outside Downing Street A London-wide pilot of technology where all phones are sent a message alerting of a major attack Increasing the number of firearms instructors so marksmen can be trained quicker A comprehensive review of safety and security on the River Thames, commissioned by the mayor, to report by May 2017 A review of perimeter security at London City Airport - flights were disrupted last month after protesters gained access to the runway The capacity of London's major trauma centres should be reviewed Bolster mental health services to support those at risk of radicalisation. Security guards and bouncers should be trained to help prepare against an attack There should be four dedicated 24/7 Hazardous Area Response Teams and a similar number of Mass Casualty Vehicles strategically located around London All London schools to have a plan for how to prepare for a terrorist attack line Lord Harris also said live CCTV streaming should be extended across London. Earlier this year Mr Khan intervened after Westminster Council announced it would turn off its fixed CCTV cameras to save money. City of London Police said it welcomed the review but warned against merging it with the Met. "As the report clearly states, policing in London needs stability and certainty, not upheaval and disruption," they said. The BTP's Paul Crowther welcomed the report but said: "Over the past eight years, there have been a number of studies that have examined the rationale and effectiveness of a dedicated transport police force. "Each study has unequivocally concluded that there is a need for a specialist national force, which can provide 'end to end' policing and an understanding of this complex environment. "Terror review suggests London police forces should merge https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/37794847?client=ms-android-orange-gb

Scotland Yard considers probe into IPCC police misconduct allegations Danny Shaw Home affairs correspondent 08 October 2016 UK New Scotland Yard sign Scotland Yard is considering whether to launch a criminal investigation into claims the Independent Police Complaints Commission deliberately suppressed evidence during an inquiry into alleged police misconduct. Three police officers were cleared at a misconduct hearing in July and have lodged a criminal complaint with the Met about the conduct of the IPCC. Scotland Yard said it was "assessing" information relating to "two linked allegations of crime". The IPCC said it was "aware" of the allegations. The IPCC has previously apologised for failings in the way it dealt with the case, It concerned a black firefighter, Edric Kennedy-Macfoy, who was Tasered by police during a disturbance at Harrow, north-west London, in September 2011. The fireman claimed he had been assaulted and racially discriminated against by police. Undisclosed material Last year, the Metropolitan Police apologised and paid him compensation to settle a civil claim he had brought against the force. Three months ago, as a hearing was due to start against three policemen accused of gross misconduct, their legal teams say they received material that had not previously been disclosed. It allegedly contained accounts from eyewitnesses, including other police officers and bystanders. The IPCC withdrew from the case and the officers were formally cleared. At the time, the watchdog issued an apology to Mr Kennedy-Macfoy and the officers saying that it had identified "procedural shortfalls". It said they "related to disclosure of relevant material and the need for further investigative work, including witness interviews, which it became clear were not conducted during the investigation". The organisation set up an "in-depth review" headed by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman. However, the police officers have made a formal complaint alleging the IPCC deliberately withheld evidence and that criminal offences may have been committed. The IPCC commissioner in charge of the misconduct investigation into the police officers was Jennifer Izekor. In a statement commenting on the allegations made by the officers about the IPCC, Ms Izekor said: "I am confident that these allegations are without foundation. "It would be inappropriate to say more at this stage." 'Lives tarnished' Scotland Yard said: "We can confirm that in September the MPS [Metropolitan Police] received two linked allegations of crime, relating to issues arising from a misconduct hearing in July 2016 which was halted because of issues with disclosure. "The allegation [sic] has been recorded and is being assessed," the force said, although it did not specify against whom the complaints had been made. An IPCC spokesman said: "The MPS has made us aware that two linked allegations are being assessed and as such it would be inappropriate to say more at this stage." If an investigation were to be launched, it is thought it would be the first time that a police force had examined criminal allegations made against the police watchdog. John Downes, the lawyer representing the officers, said their lives had been "tarnished" by the misconduct allegations. "We welcome the news that officers from Scotland Yard are assessing the criminal claims against the IPCC. My clients have suffered for the past five years since the original incident. "They now hope the allegations they have made against the IPCC are taken seriously by the Metropolitan Police and look forward to being updated soon."Scotland Yard considers probe into IPCC police misconduct allegations - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37594421

More guns are being seized in cities across Britain as the number of firearms being smuggled into the country increases, Britain’s most senior police officer has said. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan police commissioner, told a hearing at London’s City Hall that a rise in gun crime in the capital was being put down to an increase in the number of weapons coming into the country. Rising number of guns being smuggled into UK, Metropolitan police say http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/28/rising-number-of-guns-being-smuggled-into-uk-metropolitan-police-say?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard Quite a worrying story if criminals can smuggle firearms into the country on this scale, then surely it's only a matter of time before terrorist's do so.

Met gun officer faces trial over Azelle Rodney murder Kate Nelson Azelle Rodney Former police marksman Anthony Long arrived at court this morning to face trial for the murder of robbery suspect Azelle Rodney. Read more at: http://www.london24.com/news/crime/met_gun_officer_faces_trial_over_azelle_rodney_murder_1_4103311 Copyright © LONDON24 This should be an interesting one, there hasn't been anything on the BBC or Sky today.

Met police accused of abusing black fireman have case to answer, says IPCC The IPCC has concluded there was evidence the officers racially stereotyped firefighter Edric Kennedy-Macfoy. Photograph: Casey Moore for the Guardian Six Metropolitan police officers accused of responding to an offer of assistance from an off-duty black firefighter by abusing him, dragging him from his car and shooting him with a Taser should face disciplinary charges for possible racial discrimination, the official watchdog has concluded. Edric Kennedy-Macfoy has accused police of behaving like wild animals when he approached them in a north London suburb to provide them with a description of a man he spotted throwing a rock at a police van. After a 20-month investigation into the case, which involved tracking down members of the public who witnessed the incident, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) concluded there was evidence the officers racially stereotyped the fireman, according to a summary of its key findings in the case, which has been seen by the Guardian. The IPCC is referring a dossier of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service after concluding a police constable could also face criminal charges over the use of the Taser. The watchdog also found police failed to act with integrity, courtesy, patience, discretion, professional judgment or common sense. The most senior-ranking officer among those accused, former inspector David Burgum, denied the charges, questioned the firefighter’s motives and took the unusual step of condemning the statutory watchdog that investigates serious police complaints. “In my opinion Mr Kennedy-Macfoy has cynically played the race card for his own ends,” Burgum said in a statement to the Guardian. “I do not consider that the IPCC have conducted an independent investigation. They are political organisation with a strong anti-police bias.” Kennedy-Macfoy was driving through Harrow around 3.30am in September 2011 when he saw a young man hurl the rock at the police van. After noting a description of the young man, Kennedy-Macfoy flagged down the van driver and approached a line of officers to pass the information on. A disagreement ensued in which, the IPCC said, several officers used abusive language against Kennedy-Macfoy. The off-duty fireman complained officers repeatedly swore at him, before charging at his car and pulling him from the vehicle. In an account he gave the Guardian in 2012, Kennedy-Macfoy, then 29, said he responded by calmly and showed his palms to the officers, telling them: “Listen guys, I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m a firefighter – I work with you lot and I just want to explain something.” He said the Taser was discharged, without warning, when he was walking backwards with his hands in the air. The final report from the IPCC investigation has not been made public or provided to any of the parties involved. However, a summary of the IPCC’s key findings, seen by the Guardian, concludes the police’s initial reaction to Kennedy-Macfoy was based purely on his ethnic appearance. The watchdog’s report names six officers, including Burgum, who it says have a case to answer for gross misconduct in respect of their alleged racial discrimination of Kennedy-Macfoy. In addition to the ex-inspector, they include a sergeant, three police constables and a special constable. One of the constables - the officer who twice discharged the Taser - could also face criminal charges, the IPCC states. “The IPCC has completed its investigation into a complaint made by Edric Kennedy- Macfoy relating to his arrest by [Met] officers in September 2011,” a spokesperson for the watchdog said. “The IPCC will be referring a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration related to an officer’s use of Taser.” The IPCC did not find sufficient evidence to uphold a complaint against two officers: a seventh officer, of constable rank, who was also present on the night, and a detective inspector who initially handled the fireman’s complaint. After Kennedy-Macfoy was shot with the Taser, he was arrested and charged with obstructing police. He was found not guilty after a trial at Brent magistrates court. During those proceedings Burgum gave evidence about the fireman’s racial appearance, which later formed part his complaint. Burgum told the court his officers were in a “stressful” situation and had been dealing with a group of partygoers who had been throwing missiles at them. According to a court clerk’s notes of proceedings, Burgum added: “I couldn’t say he was anything to do with the party. The party was all black. He was black. He had driven through the cordon. I had to do a quick risk assessment.” Burgum retired from the Met in January and now works for a private company that has an outsourced contract to train prospective Met police recruits. In his statement to the Guardian, Burgum called the account given by the fireman and apparently supported by the IPCC investigation “implausible in the extreme”. The ex-inspector is among the four officers the IPCC concluded have additional cases to answer for misconduct on the night – in his case, for swearing at Kennedy-Macfoy. Burgum said it was ridiculous for the IPCC to raise concern about his abusive language toward fireman because “Mr Kennedy-Macfoy swore at me first”. “The suggestion that the police reaction to Mr Kennedy-Macfoy was based purely on his ethnic appearance and that the police officers racially stereotyped him is likewise ridiculous,” he said, adding that some of his police colleagues present on the night were “of ethnic minority backgrounds” and they, too, reject the suggestion that this was “a racial incident”. Given he has retired, Burgum cannot face disciplinary proceedings. However, the other five officers, who all remain at the Met, could be subject to a misconduct hearing. The Met declined to say whether it would hold such a hearing. “As is normal procedure, we will consider the report’s finding and associated evidence and respond to the IPCC within the statutory 15 working days,” a Met spokesman said. If the Met decides against holding the hearing, the IPCC has powers to compel the force to do so. Asked if the watchdog planned to use that authority, an IPCC spokesperson said: “We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.” Kennedy-Macfoy’s solicitor, Shamik Dutta of the firm Bhatt Murphy, said: “In light of the IPCC’s findings we now look to the CPS and the Met police commissioner to properly consider all the evidence that has been gathered and to make a decision which does justice to that evidence.” The IPCC and Met have clashed over the Kennedy-Macfoy case before. His complaint was initially investigated by the Met’s professional standards department, with arm’s-length supervision from the IPCC. That internal inquiry provisionally concluded no police officer should face disciplinary or criminal proceedings. The IPCC then took the unusual step of rejecting the Met’s inquiry in its entirety, initiating the fully independent investigation. It is that inquiry that, after almost two years collecting and analysing the evidence, concluded six officers have a case to answer for racially-motivated misconduct. View the full article

This is the extraordinary moment a police car collided with a cyclist, drove over a bike and then sped off after tensions flared during a mass bike ride in central London. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/moment-police-car-collides-with-cyclist-crushes-bike-and-drives-off-a3237741.html Video on the London Evening Standard website via the link.

Teenager arrested over Tower Hamlets police stabbing 2 hours ago From the section London Image copyright Google Image caption The officer was attacked near Bunsen House, Bow A 16-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a police officer was stabbed in the stomach in Tower Hamlets, east London. Two officers attended a car park near Bunsen House, Bow, at 23:30 GMT on Sunday after receiving reports of anti-social behaviour. A knife was recovered and the suspect was taken to an east London police station for questioning. The officer is in a "serious but stable condition" according to the Met Police. Two officers attended the scene following reports of anti-social behaviour and a moped being ridden near to flats. Nobody else was arrested. Scotland Yard said there is not believed to be any link to extremism or terrorism. My thought's are with the officer and his family, I hope they make a full and speedy recovery. http:// www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34829464

Rave crowd clashes with riot police in Lambeth 1 November 2015 From the section London Media captionPolice said that officers were attacked when they arrived to close a Halloween event in Lambeth, south London Crowds throwing bottles, chairs and a suspected petrol bomb have clashed with riot police at an illegal rave in central London. The Met Police said officers had been attacked when they arrived to close the event at an address in Whitgift Street, Lambeth, late on Saturday. Four officers had been treated for injuries at the scene and a number of arrests had been made, the force said. Police said the event had now been shut down. "The disorder and criminal damage around the venue has stopped," said a Met Police statement at about 07:00 GMT on Sunday. "There are no further reports of officers injured at this time. There is one report of a member of the public, a man, being treated by London Ambulance Service." 'Mayhem' Earlier, a force spokesman had said: "As well as attacking police the group also caused criminal damage to private vehicles and property in the area." Crowds first gathered on Black Prince Road at Albert Embankment, across the river from Westminster, before dispersing down Lambeth Road on to Lambeth High Street and nearby Whitgift Street. They reportedly charged at police, set fire to bins and chanted "scum" and "pigs". A witness described the scene as "mayhem". 'Stay peaceful' Nearby residents have taken to social media to vent their frustration at the disturbance. Rhodri tweeted: "They're now gathering on my street. There are families here with young kids that don't deserve this disruption. #Lambeth." The event - called Scumoween: A Nightmare On Scum Street - had been advertised on Facebook to take place in Whitgift Street, starting at 20.00 on Saturday and lasting until 06:00 on Monday. Of 13,000 invited guests on the social networking site, about 4,000 said they planned to attend. On Wednesday, organisers had advised: "Stay peaceful, stay calm. Patience and numbers is in our favour. Do not antagonise the police. We don't need to. "At the end of the day we want to leave them remembering our good attitudes, we just came to dance, we are not their enemy." Anyone with any information about the disorder is urged to contact police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. View the full article

The family of Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police in 2011, have won the right to appeal over a finding that he was lawfully killed. An inquest jury concluded last year that the marksman who killed him in Tottenham, north London, did not behave unlawfully. The family is challenging a High Court ruling that they could not apply for judicial review. Lord Justice Sales allowed their application for permission to appeal. The judge warned the family against thinking his decision meant their appeal must succeed. He said their case was "arguable" and had reached his decision on the basis that "there is a real prospect of success on appeal". He added: "A further compelling reason for the grant of permission is that the shooting dead of a suspect by police is always a matter for careful scrutiny." The Duggan family and their lawyers argued the jury's conclusions were contradictory. 'Deeply distressed' The officer involved said he believed Mark Duggan had a weapon in his hand when he opened fire and thought he was going to shoot at police. The jury found it was more than likely that Mark Duggan had thrown a gun onto some grass outside the car, where a weapon was found. The three High Court judges who previously ruled out a judicial review said none of the grounds of challenge had been established. Mark Duggan's shooting in August 2011 sparked riots in London and across England which lasted for several days. His mother, Pamela, said she remained "deeply distressed" about her son's death and the inquest finding. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34647727 Another waste of money, maybe if he hadn't turned to a life of crime his mother wouldn't be in this distressing situation.