Monday 28 May 2012

Knifeman Nicked After Calling Plod


A boozy assault victim, who armed himself with a bread knife after being repeatedly punched in the face during a drinking-session at a suburban house, has dodged jailed with a suspended sentence.


Gerry Harry-Marcelle, 52, who lives on disability benefits, called 999 after claiming he was struck several times with a crushed beer can, but ended up being arrested himself.


He pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article outside the address in Egerton Road, South Norwood (pictured) on April 13 and was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for a year.


Croydon Crown Court heard when officers arrived they found Harry-Marcelle, who had cuts to his face, sitting in the back of his car complaining friends had beaten him up and thrown him out of the house.


There had been seven people in the address and the defendant claimed when one man started striking him in the face with the can another joined in and he was ejected without his trousers and shoes.


He travelled the short distance home to collect the knife, which the officers seized on arrival.


Harry-Marcelle was also ordered to perform 100 hours community service and obey a three-month night time curfew.

Sunday 27 May 2012

Ex-Jailbird's £30K Benefit Scam


A disgraced ex-care home manager, who pocketed over £30,000 in benefits by lying she was a single-mum in a "parasitic" scam, has dodged a return to prison with a suspended sentence.


Housekeper Christine Constant, 46, (pictured) of Dunsfield Way, New Addington was exposed by an undercover council operation, which proved her husband, engineer Wayne, was still part of the family.


Mum-of-two Constant, who received twelve months' imprisonment in 2005 on five counts of theft from her former care home employers, began claiming benefits soon after her release.


She pleaded guilty to failing to inform Croydon Council of a change of circumstances between September 3, 2007 and November 15, 2009 in relation to her claims for housing and council tax benefit.


She also similarly pleaded guilty to failing to inform the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) between August 28, 2007 and November 10, 2009 in relation to an income support claim.


Constant defrauded £21,893 in housing benefit, £2,408 in council tax benefit and £6,932 in income support.


"Several families must have worked their fingers to the bone while you were living off them," Recorder William Featherby told Constant. "It's greed at the public expense.


"Your greed has again caught up with you. You are parasitic on them, it's quite disgraceful."


Prosecutor Miss Ini Udom told the court the defendant began claiming in March, 2006 as a single-mum with no savings.


However, she did not tell the council or the DWP her husband, who works full-time and nets £1500 per month, was living with her as a member of the family.


The council had conducted a surveillance operation and identified the husband's van parked outside the family home. He was also registered with the local G.P. and the couple shared financial ties.


Constant was quizzed on March 24, 2010.


"She denied the allegations and said her husband was of no fixed address and only stayed with her once or twice a week," added Miss Udom.


"She said his van was parked outside on occasions because he was a drinker and did not want to drive."


The following month Constant declared she was living with her husband.


She now nets £1100 per month as a housekeeper.


"This was a substantial amount of fraud," added Recorder Weatherby, sentencing Constant to four months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, plus twelve months probation supervision.


The defendant was also ordered to pay £5,000 compensation to Croydon Council within twelve months or serve three months imprisonment.


"This lady needs to work hard to pay off the debt," concluded the Recorder.

Saturday 26 May 2012

Jail For Building Site Raider


A would-be construction equipment thief - caught in the early hours by police after a local resident raised the alarm - was jailed for eighteen months yesterday.


Car mechanic Daniel Jones, 27, of Carfax Avenue, Tongham, Surrey raided the site with two accomplices, intent on making off with thousands of pounds worth of equipment.


He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to attempting to steal jackhammer drills, alone worth £27,000, and other equipment in Rye Crescent, Orpington on July 20, last year.


A local lorry driver called the police at 5am because of suspicious movements on the site and the presence of a flat-bed truck three hours before work usually started.


Jones, who had been driving a digger when officers arrived, tried to flee, but was caught and handcuffed.


He claimed he thought the two accomplices were allowed on the site and he was helping them for a £200 fee, but admitted his guilt on the day he was due to stand trial.


"These crimes are prevalent in society at the moment, people going onto building sites and taking metal and the like," announced Judge Heather Baucher.


"You were chosen because of your skills in commercial vehicles and this was a specific digger on a building site that you were trying to get away," the judge told Jones, who has forty-two previous convictions.


"You tried to escape and you hid your appearance by pulling your hood up."

Friday 25 May 2012

Footballer Scores Own Goal With Xmas Party Grope


Bad-boy footballer Lee Hughes was fined £500 today and bound over to keep the peace after putting his hand between a shocked young woman's legs during hotel Christmas party and lifting her into the air.


Notts County striker Hughes, 36, (pictured) of River Crescent, Waterside Way, Nottingham pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to common assault and was also ordered to pay £120 costs.


He had originally been charged with sexual assault, but after the Crown Prosecution Service consulted the victim his not guilty plea was accepted and the lesser charge preferred.


"This dates back to the third of December last year," said prosecutor Mr. Julius Capon. "The defendant is a professional footballer and was staying with others in his team at the Aerodrome Hotel.


"There was a fire alarm and everyone had to leave the hotel and assembled in the car park outside.


"The complainant had attended a works function at the hotel, a Christmas party, and was speaking to her friends when the defendant, who had not spoken to her and who she did not know, put his hand between her legs, under her dress and lifted her up into the air.


"The complainant was annoyed and upset and afterwards Mr. hughes tried to hug her and suggested he was having a laugh.


"This was inappropriate and disgraceful conduct," added Mr. Capon.


The court was not told of Hughes' previous conviction of causing the death of father-of-four Douglas Graham by dangerous driving in Meriden, Coventry, for which he received six years imprisonment in August 2004 and was released after serving half the sentence.


He had played for West Brom, Coventry City and Kidderminster Harriers before that drink-drive tragedy and since his release has played for Oldham Athletic and Notts County.


Hughes' lawyer told the court the hotel incident was no more sinister than "horseplay."


"This was utterly inappropriate," the Recorder of Croydon Warwick McKinnon told Hughes, binding him over to keep the peace for twelve months in the sum of £500.


Hughes' defence team had asked for the case to be listed at 2pm, but arrived two hours early and the case was called on almost immediately.

Thursday 24 May 2012

Drug 'Mule' Swallowed £50K Worth Of Cocaine


A young cocaine courier, who swallowed £50,000 worth of the drug before boarding a flight from Jamaica, was locked-up for two years-and-four months today.


Amy Hinchcliffe, 20, of Willow Lane, Huddersfield was intimidated by a "heavyweight crowd" into agreeing to put her life at risk by becoming a drugs 'mule'.


She pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to importing 324 gms. of 70% pure cocaine at Gatwick Airport on February 25.


Prosecutor Mr. Julius Capon told the court: "Miss Hinchcliffe arrived on a BA flight from Kingston and was spoken to by customs officers, who ascertained she was travelling alone and they had a conversation about drugs.


"She said she knew importation of drugs was illegal and because they had concerns she may have swallowed something they suggested she take a body scan."


This was abandoned after Hinchcliffe (pictured) raised the possibility she may have been pregnant.


"A urine sample was taken, which confirmed traces of cocaine, and she was taken to a suite where she eventually produced thirty-four packages of cocaine," added Mr. Capon.


"She admitted she had swallowed the packages under an element of pressure and coercion so she does come under a laser role for sentencing purposes."


The Recorder of Croydon Warwick McKinnon read letters penned by Hinchcliffe's parents, her sister and the defendant herself, which explained a troubled background and difficulties growing up.


The court heard an older, unnamed person threatened physical violence against the defendant when persuading her to smuggle the cocaine, but her defence lawyer accepted it fell short of duress.


"She has had a difficult upbringing and was subjected to intimidation and pressure to engage in this extremely dangerous exercise that could have killed her," announced Judge McKinnon.


"How sad this is that after two minor skirmishes with the law you get in with the wrong heavyweight crowd who are into hard drugs," he told Hinchcliffe.


"You got pressured into it and the intimidation was real, I have no doubt, causing you to risk your own life by swallowing thirty-four packets of cocaine.


"If one of them had broken you would be dead."

Wednesday 23 May 2012

'Kill For Thrills' Murderer Caged For Random Attacks


A sadistic killer, who roamed North London parks and woods randomly attacking lone men, has been caged for life – with a thirty-five year minimum.

Walkers and joggers were head-butted and repeatedly punched by evil Ali Koc, 30, (pic.bottom) who would also armed himself with a tree branch to inflict devastating injuries.

Jobless Turkish immigrant Koc, of Lightfoot Road, Hornsey - enraged by a stop to his dole handouts - is known to have attacked seven men – murdering two of them – all in January, last year.

He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of murdering Keith Needell, 84, (pic.top) who died in hospital on July 16, after being attacked on January 31 in Queen’s Wood.

Koc was also found guilty of murdering Victor Parsons, 67, (pic. 2nd and 3rd top) who died in hospital on February 25 after he was attacked on January 5 near the gates of Alexandra Park in Alexandra Palace Way.

He was also convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm against a 29 year-old and 37 year-old in Alexandra Park on January 21 and 22; a 35 year-old in Priory Park on January 23; a 63 year-old in Queen’s Wood on January 28 and a 59 year-old in Downhill’s Park on January 29.

Detectives are not ruling out the possibility that Koc may have attacked other people.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim or anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0400. If they wish to remain anonymous they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Tim Duffield, said: “We must not lose sight of the most important people in this case, the victims of Koc and the bereaved families of Victor Parsons and Keith Needell, who have had to come to terms with the brutal and sadistic manner in which their loved ones were attacked.

“The dignity and courage they have shown has been most humbling.

“Koc has never shown any remorse for this wanton spate of attacks committed throughout January last year. There was no motive.

“This was simply violence for violence sake, randomly-inflicted upon law abiding people who happened to be walking or jogging through their local parks.

“Tragically, two of society's most vulnerable members, Victor Parsons and Keith Needell, would pay with their lives for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“There can be no doubt that Koc is a highly dangerous and predatory individual who derived some warped sense of gratification from carrying out these abhorrent attacks.

“I am pleased with today's sentencing and hope it will bring some small measure of solace to Koc's victims - including the families of Mr Parsons and Mr Needell - so that they might begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.”

Victor Parsons’ sister Rosemary, said: “He was a good brother who stood by me when I needed him. He will be sadly missed.”

Keith Needell’s wife, Mary Needell said: “Keith is greatly missed by all his family, friends and those whose lives he touched and enriched. Such a kind and gentle man should never have suffered in such a brutal and senseless manner.

“In fifty-seven years of marriage he never once uttered a cross word. His aim in life was to help others and contribute towards a better life for all.

“His interests in the wider world were many and varied and if he could see a way of helping others it would give him pleasure to do so in as unobtrusive a way as possible.”

Keith’s son John Needell, speaking on behalf of himself and other family members, said: “We are very sad that there are individuals who would rather inflict hurt than provide a positive contribution to the society they live in.

“We are, however, very glad that through the thorough efforts of the police and all others involved in the prosecution, this murderer is now unable to inflict pain and suffering on anyone else.

‘We would also like to thank everyone who has supported Keith and the family since the attack, from the medical teams, the police and criminal justice system, to individuals who gave their time, love and support to the family.

“It was wonderful to see how good people will go out of their way to help. We now have to make the best of the situation we find ourselves in, and we will certainly miss Keith acutely as we go about our lives.”

At approximately 10:00am Victor Parsons was found unconscious near the gates of Alexandra Park by a member of the public.

He had sustained multiple and serious head injuries and was taken to the Royal London hospital by ambulance.

He remained in Intensive Care for several weeks before he died. A post-mortem gave cause of death as head injuries.

At approximately 2:30pm a 29-year-old man was walking his dogs in Alexandra Park when he was head-butted and punched several times in the face by a lone male.

The victim was treated at the Whittington Hospital for cuts and abrasion to the head. He was discharged the same day.

At approximately 12:00pm a 37-year-old man was jogging in Alexandra Park when he was head-butted and kicked repeatedly by a lone male.

He was treated at the Whittington Hospital for cuts and abrasion to the head. He was discharged the same day.

At approximately 9:30am on a 35-year-old man was jogging in Priory Park when he was racially abused by a lone male who then repeatedly punched him and struck him several times with a tree branch.

The victim was treated at the Whittington Hospital for cuts and abrasion to the head. He was discharged the same day.

At approximately 10:00am a 63-year-old man was attacked in Queen’s Wood.

He was struck around the head and body several times with a tree branch by a lone male. He did not require hospital treatment.

At approximately 1:35pm a 59-year-old man was walking through Downhill’s Park when he was attacked by a lone male who punched him several times and kicked him as he lay on the ground.

The victim was treated at North Middlesex Hospital for cuts and abrasion to the head. He was discharged the same day.

At approximately 2:10pm police were called by the ambulance service after a member of the public found Keith Needell with serious head injuries in Queen's Wood.

He was taken to the Royal Free hospital where he remained in a critical condition for several weeks. A post-mortem gave cause of death as aspiration pneumonia and head injuries.

On February 2 an incident room opened under DCI Tim Duffield of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command and Koc was arrested that evening.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Crazed Knifeman Locked-Up For Schoolboy Murder


A mentally-disturbed knifeman, who stabbed a teenage schoolboy through the heart and injured three other pupils, has been detained for life.

Paranoid Schizophrenic Serif Aslan, 34, (pic.bottom) of Phillip Lane, South Tottenham launched the bloody attack after being caught leering at a young girl pupil at the school gates.

He was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Kasey Gordon, 15, (pic.top) and inflicting grievous bodily harm on a 14 year-old and 16 year-old and causing actual bodily harm to a 14 year-old.

Aslan had not taken his anti-psychotic medication for a week and had hidden the knife in the room he occupied at a residential home.

He will be detained under the Mental Health Act for a minimum of twenty years and was taken to a top-security mental hospital after sentencing.

Detective Inspector Leon James of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: “This is a tragic incident which led to the death of fifteen year-old Kasey Gordon and three other schoolboys receiving injuries.

“I am pleased with today’s sentencing. In some small way we hope that this will help to bring some closure to Kasey’s family and friends.”



Kasey was fatally stabbed just before 3.45pm on January 20, last year in West Green Road, South Tottenham.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and a post mortem confirmed the cause as a single stab wound.

The other three boys were rushed to hospital and the 16 year-old needed emergency treatment for a collapsed lung caused by a stab wound to the chest.

One of the fourteen year-olds had been stabbed in the hip and the other received a minor facial injury.

Monday 21 May 2012

Summer Riots: Romanian Teen Wanted


Police are hunting this alleged teenage looter – wanted for ransacking two East London shops during last summer’s riots.

Romanian Leonard Neamu, 13, (pictured) has connections in East London, Birmingham and Manchester.

He is wanted for burgling Argos, High Street North, East Ham and SN Food & Wine, Ilford Lane, Ilford on August 8.

Neamu is also sought for a burglary at Mina Stores, Romford Road, Manor Park on June 5 and Aqua Scutum, Freeport Village, Braintree, Essex on March 5, last year.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Operation Withern detectives on 020 8217 6648 or 101 or to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Sunday 20 May 2012

Smuggled Cocaine Hidden In Courier's Ladygarden


A mother-of-three has been jailed for thirty months for smuggling £44,000 worth of cocaine concealed inside her vagina.


Chevonne Martin, 39, of Chesterton Close, Greenford was stopped by UK Border Agency staff at Gatwick Airport after stepping off a Caribbean flight when a drug sniffer dog detected the cocaine.


She pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to importing 421 gms. of the drug from St. Lucia on October 6, last year.


First-time offender Martin was strip-searched at the airport and prosecutor Mr. Julius Capon told the court: "Two packages were found in her vagina."


When quizzed the defendant claimed she was pressurised into smuggling the cocaine by a mystery man who also made sexual advances towards her.


Her lawyer Mr. Sunjay Versani said: "This was not a sophisticated concealment and it was an isolated incident. She has genuine regret and remorse."


Judge Jeremy Gold QC told Martin: "You were stopped coming through Gatwick Airport with a quantity of cocaine secreted internally.


"Class A drugs are a cancer in our society and sentences must be imposed that reflect that."

Saturday 19 May 2012

Drug Smuggler Falls Foul Of Fruit Find


A plane passenger, who smuggled £30,000 worth of cannabis hidden inside Jamaican pineapple and ackee fruit, was jailed for twenty months yesterday.


Ex-Vauxhall General Motors engineer Owen John Smith, 53, of Ravenhill Way, Luton pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to importing 10.8 kilos of the drug at Gatwick Airport on December 10, last year.


Prosecutor Mr. Julius Capon told the court UK Border Agency officers searched Smith's suitcase after he stepped off a Jamaican flight.


"Inside were various foods, including pineapple and frozen ackee, and concealed within that fruit were packages containing cannabis."


When quizzed, Smith, who has a twenty year-old conviction for possession of cannabis with intent to supply, refused to answer questions.


His lawyer, Clive Smith said: "He was bringing the suitcase back for someone and feels foolish that there were drugs inside it and that he was taken advantage of."


The father-of-two was told by Judge Jeremy Gold QC: "You were involved in attempting to bring in cannabis with a street value of thirty thousand pounds, which was concealed within fruit.


"You are certainly not naive in matters relating to cannabis and I place you at the junior end of a significant role."

Friday 18 May 2012

Schoolteacher-From-Hell Convicted Of Raping 14 Year-Old Pupil


A science teacher who took his 14 year-old schoolgirl pupil's virginity when raping her in a hotel room - before embarking on a secret three-year affair with the teen - is facing years behind bars.


Keith Ogunsola, 47, (pictured) of Banstead, Surrey repeatedly had sex with the girl in his car and even at her home, while she was wearing her school uniform, Croydon Crown Court heard.


"I have a pretty good idea in my mind what the sentence is going to be," Judge Jeff Blackett told the disgraced defendant today. "You are going to prison for a very long time."


Prosecutor Miss Hannah Llewellyn-Waters told the jury at the start of the trial: "She turned to him for additional guidance and this defendant betrayed her trust by exploiting her naivety and respect for him for his own sexual gratification."


Father-of-three Ogunsola "groomed" the girl - a former pupil at Stanley Park High School, Carshalton - where he was employed between September 1998 and December 2001.


"He created a bond of trust in his capacity as her teacher and tested the water by kissing her and when she did not complain he escalated his grooming process and took her virginity from her with an act of rape.


"She was manoeuvred into a position where she did not tell anyone, believing her word would not be believed against a teacher and the defendant told her what to do, say and wear," explained Miss Llewellyn-Waters.


"She lied to her family about where she was going and what was happening and the defendant told her if anyone found out they would not believe her and her friends and family would consider her a slag.


"When she wanted to have a boyfriend he became jealous and when she refused to have sex with the defendant he ripped her clothes off and raped her again."


In January, 2001 Ogunsola "persisted" in offering the reluctant schoolgirl a lift in his car and when eventually persuaded he drove her to Beddington Park.


"He told her she was pretty and he really fancied her," explained the prosecutor. "He leaned over, pulled her toward him, and she remembers he was trying to stick his tongue into her mouth."


It was her first-ever kiss.


Under the guise of helping her with extra GCSE studies Ogunsola lured the girl to a Purley Way hotel.


"The defendant started to kiss her, pushed her back on the bed, and climbed on top of her," Miss Llewellyn-Waters told the jury. "She was telling him to get off, but he ignored her pleas and told her to be quiet.


"He puled her trousers and underwear down, had his weight against her, and then raped her.


"She repeatedly told him to get off her and that he was hurting her, but he told her to be quiet because she was resisting him and crying."


Ogunsola then pursued and under-age affair and would collect the girl after school for sex in his car in the Purley area and they stayed at local hotels and overnight in Southend, Milton Keynes and Gatwick.


He played her a pornographic dvd on his laptop in one hotel room, put her on 'the pill' and ordered her to wear skirts without knickers because it made sex more convenient for him, the court was told.


After leaving Stanley Park Ogunsola continued 'tutoring' the girl during her A levels and allegedly raped her again during a row about her new boyfriend in an Imperial Way hotel.


"He pushed her onto the bed and as he tried to pull her skirt up he ripped it," explained Miss Llewellyn-Waters. "He puled off her underwear and had sex with her."


The girl never saw Ogunsola again, but agreed to make a statement after reading he was convicted of sexual assault a against a 14 year-old girl pupil at an East London school in 2009.


The defendant was found guilty of two counts of rape, three sample counts of engaging in sexual activity with a 14 year-old girl while in a position of trust and one count of sexual assault.

Thursday 17 May 2012

Double Trouble In Kilburn: Violent Suspect Wanted


Police are hunting this man, suspected of two violent and unprovoked midnight attacks within two hours of each other, which left both victims with face wounds.

Dean Hughes, 26, (pictured) who frequents the Kilburn and Paddington areas of London is wanted by Camden Borough officers.

The first victim, a 24 year-old man, was walking with a friend along Kilburn High Road at 11.50pm when he was struck in the face by an assailant who was part of a group.

An ambulance was called and the victim will need surgery to a serious facial wound.

At 1.25am the same night a 31 year-old shop worker on Kilburn High Road was struck in the face by a man who police believe was the same attacker.

He also suffered a cut to his face, requiring hospital treatment.

Hughes is a white man, approximately 5ft 10ins tall and is considered dangerous, with police advising the public not to approach him.

Anyone with any information about Hughes or regarding the incidents should contact the Community Safety Unit on Camden borough on 020 8733 6474 or 020 8733 5665 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two women arrested on April 18 in connection with the investigation have been charged.

A 31-year-old man arrested on April 25 in connection with the investigation has been bailed to return pending further enquiries.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Polish Sex Offender: Where Is He?


A homeless alcoholic sex pest – convicted of groping a woman – is wanted by police for flouting a court order designed to prevent his reoffending.

Polish-born Andrzej Gluth, 27, (pictured) is being hunted by Hackney police in East London for failing to comply with an order made under the Sexual Offences Act.

He is known to squat in empty properties and is believed to be somewhere in London.

Gluth was convicted in December, 2007 of sexual assault, intentionally touching a female.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Maria Wynter of Hackney’s Public Protection Unit on 020 7249 1525, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Cannabis Factory Closed During Gangbusting Dawn Raids


Eight gang members have been arrested during a series of dawn raids by the Trident Gang Crime Command – resulting in the closing of a cannabis production factory.

Police also seized crack cocaine, an air pistol and a stolen Blackberry during the operation in the boroughs of Westminster and Brent.

The new unit is an offshoot of Operation Trident – which investigates violent black-on-black crime - and was assisted by the Met’s Territorial Support Group.

Seven search warrants were simultaneously executed at 6.00am and involved a total of 120 officers.

They were targeting gang members involved in robbery, drug supply, assaults and looting during last summer’s riots.

All warrants were served at residential homes, with five arrests in Brent and three in Westminster.

All those arrested were aged between 16-24 years and were taken to north and central London police stations.

Offences range from assault to possession with intent to supply drugs. 



During one of the warrant searches in Westminster, officers recovered a Blackberry mobile phone, which was snatched in a knifepoint robbery the previous day.

Two suspects matching the victim's description have since been arrested for that offence as a direct result of the raids.



Detective Chief Inspector Tim Champion, from the Trident Gang Crime Command, is confident this renewed approach will change lives and improve communities for the better.

He said: “By successfully removing the negative role models and their gang associates within the local community we are hoping to prevent young people from joining gangs in the first place.



“There is nothing cool about being in prison it is not a positive experience.

“There is nothing trendy about having a criminal record. It only makes it harder to get a job or into further education.

“There is nothing untouchable about being involved in violence and crime. It can lead to getting arrested, sent to prison, seriously injured or even killed.



"We cannot of course tackle gang violence alone. We are working with partners and agencies to offer ways out of gangs and divert young people away from what can become a very destructive path.”



Safer Neighbourhoods patrols were stepped around the addresses targeted in Westminster and Brent and weapons sweeps continued in communal areas following the raids this morning.



Chief Inspector Louis Smith of the Westminster Task Force believes the partnership work his officers are continuing to perform will help change perceptions.

He said: “I can assure the residents of Westminster and Brent that we work tirelessly alongside the Trident Gang Command to bring those responsible to justice as swiftly as we can.



“We are involved in a number of high profile activities including targeted enforcement, youth diversion and engagement with young people in schools and the wider community in Westminster and Brent.

“Together with partners we will continue to work to address the attitudes and culture that create negative influences, gang involvement and weapon carrying.”



If you have any information about gang crime or those involved call Crimestoppers - an independent charity - anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.