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Phone thefts in London have surged, with 117,211 devices stolen in 2024, marking a 25% increase since 2019. Victims like Fenella Rawling have lost irreplaceable memories as organized crime groups increasingly target smartphones for quick profits. The Metropolitan Police are responding with high-powered bikes and aerial surveillance to combat this rising crime wave.
The Metropolitan Police will cease investigations into non-crime hate incidents to prioritize criminal matters. This decision follows the closure of a case against Graham Linehan, arrested for inciting violence on social media. The Crown Prosecution Service found no grounds for further action after reviewing the evidence.
Hounslow Council officers seized over £33,000 worth of illegal vapes and tobacco in west London, with shop owners using WhatsApp to alert each other about impending raids. The sales of these dangerous products, which can contain harmful substances, are prevalent in various establishments, prompting council action. Authorities emphasize the need to protect community health and safety.
Pizza Hut plans to close 68 restaurants and 11 delivery outlets across the UK, resulting in 1,210 job losses. Administrators cite challenging trading conditions and increased costs as factors leading to the closures. Yum! Brands intervened to preserve 64 locations and 1,276 jobs.
The Metropolitan Police banned a planned demonstration by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in Tower Hamlets, citing a "realistic prospect of serious disorder." UKIP accused the police of yielding to Islamist pressure and violating their right to peaceful assembly. The party is now seeking to relocate the protest elsewhere in London.
A mother whose daughter was murdered by a mentally ill offender is advocating for changes to the benefits system that allows such offenders to receive financial support while detained in psychiatric hospitals. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has pledged to explore potential reforms to close this loophole. Victims' advocates are calling for immediate action to prioritize victims' rights in the justice system.
The Metropolitan Police's new lead on phone theft, Cdr Andy Featherstone, acknowledges the force's efforts against the crime have been insufficient, with only 1% of phone thefts resulting in charges. Following a significant operation that led to 18 arrests and the seizure of 2,000 devices, Garratt calls for a more aggressive approach to combat what he describes as an "epidemic."
The Metropolitan Police recovered thousands of stolen items and arrested 32 individuals in a major operation against organized shoplifting in London. Officers raided over 120 shops suspected of selling stolen goods, resulting in the closure of nine establishments and the seizure of items valued at hundreds of thousands of pounds.
A London pedicab driver, Iuliu Kubola, stole nearly £24,000 worth of wine from several restaurants and pleaded guilty to multiple burglaries. Judge Mark Lucraft KC adjourned his sentencing to allow him time to assist police in recovering the stolen items. Compensation for the stolen goods may be sought by the affected restaurants.
A new eye implant allows blind patients to regain their ability to read, with five patients at Moorfields Eye Hospital reporting significant improvements. The technology, tested in a trial involving 38 patients across Europe, offers hope for those suffering from advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. Sheila Irvine, one of the recipients, expressed her joy at being able to read again, stating it is "out of this world."