Friday, 9 October 2020

Female Accomplice Who Helped Violent Masked Raiders Hunted

Police hunting a woman, who tricked a resident into opening their front door before three masked robbers burst in, have released this E-Fit.

The gang threatened to kill the victim's young son with a screwdriver and fled with cash and jewellery.

Police were called at 2.07pm on Friday, January 31 to reports of an aggravated burglary at a residential property in Taywood Road, Northolt, west London.

Officers attended and spoke to the victim, who said a woman knocked on the front door to speak to them before three men - wearing balaclavas and masks - forced their way into the property.

One of the suspects threatened to kill the victim’s young child with a screwdriver, while demanding that valuables were handed over immediately. 

They then made off with cash and jewellery. 

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

Detective Sergeant Neil Hudson, from West Area Command Unit, said: “Thankfully both victims weren’t physically harmed, but they have been left terribly distraught by the callous actions of these people.

The incident is even more disturbing by the fact that a young boy was threatened with a weapon during the attack. 

I urge anyone who recognises this woman to contact us immediately.”

Anyone who has information that could assist police is asked to call 101 with reference Cad 4170/31Jan.

Alternatively, tweet @MetCC, or to remain 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thursday, 8 October 2020

Foursome Hunted After Teen Stabbing

Police are hunting these four suspects after a 17 year-old male was stabbed in the chest in north London.

Police were called at 11.58pm on Saturday, July 11 after the teenager was stabbed in Muswell Hill Place, Muswell Hill.

He was taken to hospital, where his condition was assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing. 

He has since been discharged.

Extensive enquires have been carried out by detectives from the North Area Command Unit, but so far there have been no arrests.

Detective Constable James Green, investigating, said: “The victim became involved in an altercation with a group of males near the Mossy Well pub in Muswell Hill when he was set about and attacked.

But for the speed and skill of emergency services workers, this incident could have had a very different outcome. 

I am urging any members of the public who recognise any of these males to make contact with us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 9656/11Jul. 

Alternatively tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Wednesday, 7 October 2020

Camden Pub Beating: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police are hunting this suspected thug after a pub customer was attacked in Camden, leaving him with multiple broken ribs and facial injuries.

Just after midnight on Monday, March 2 the 31 year-old victim was assaulted both inside and outside The Elephants Head in Camden High Street.

He had got into a verbal altercation with a group of three men.

The victim was taken to a London hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. 

He has since been discharged.

PC Sarah Parker, the office in the case, said: “This was a terrible attack in which the victim has sustained serious injuries. 

We are hoping that by releasing this image a member of the public will come forward and identity this man.

We are determined to get justice for the victim and to make sure those responsible face the consequences of their actions. 

I encourage anyone who may have been in the area or seen the men involved to contact police.”

Anyone who recognises the man in the image or with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 quoting CAD 52/02MAR20.

Alternatively, tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Homophobic Mugging: Police Release E-Fits Of Suspects

Police investigating a violent homophobic attack in north London have released these e-fits of the suspects they are hunting.

Police were called at 1.00am on Sunday, July 26 to reports of a homophobic assault and robbery near the junction of Seven Sisters Road and Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill.

Officers attended the scene and spoke with the victim, a man in his twenties, who had suffered minor injuries and had his headphones stolen.

The victim was walking across the junction when he was approached by two men, who began shouting homophobic abuse before physically assaulting him.

The men are both described as white and in their mid-twenties. 

One man is believed to be around 5ft 6ins tall, with a beard and was wearing a green baseball cap at the time.

The other man is believed to be approximately 6ft 2ins tall with curly blond or ginger hair, and was wearing a leather jacket with a T-shirt underneath.

Once the men had left the scene the victim called police.

The two men then returned and stole the victim’s headphones. 

They also attempted to steal his phone.

Detectives also released CCTV footage of two men seen running from the scene shortly after the incident, as well as these two e-fit images.

Detective Sergeant James Rush said: “This was a vicious attack on the victim, all the more appalling because of the homophobic abuse the victim received. 

I implore any witnesses to this incident to get in touch to tell us what you saw.

I would also appeal to the men in the CCTV footage or anyone who knows them to contact us as we believe they could have significant information. 

The victim has also worked with us to create e-fit images of the two suspects which we are also releasing in the hope someone may recognise them.

"Any information you have no matter how small may be pivotal to our investigation. 

The Met stands against hate and will make every effort to track the suspects down and hold them responsible.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 580/26Jul.

Monday, 5 October 2020

Wannabe Rapist Caged For Attacking Lone Female

A late-night predator, who tried to rape a lone woman as she walked home in the early hours, has been locked-up.

Khaled Argoub, 21, followed the woman, aged in her 20's, from Colliers Wood Underground Station at 3.00am on August 11, last year.

He dragged her into Wandle Park with his arm around her neck, where the victim fought him off by biting his hand.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Argoub, of Garratt Terrace, Tooting was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment – with a minimum of 14 years in custody.

He was convicted of two counts of attempted rape; attempting to choke, with intent; assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault.

The victim was heading home after a night out with friends and strolled along Colliers Wood High Street before turning into a residential road.

She noticed Argoub standing in the middle of the road behind her and described him as smirking at her.

Suddenly, he ran towards the victim, grabbed hold of her and dragged her into Wandle Park.

He held her from behind with his arm around her neck, chocking her before attempting to rape her. 

He also sexually assaulted her.

Biting his hand, which was covering her mouth, the victim was able to escape and ran to a nearby block of flats until officers arrived a short time after.

The victim was taken to hospital where she had significant cuts and scratches to her body and reddening to her neck. 

Her voice was hoarse from the strangulation and she struggled to speak.

A search was conducted for the suspect, with helicopter and dog support but there was no trace of him. 

Officers found a baseball cap with a ‘B’ logo on the front at the scene.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's South West Safeguarding Team began an investigation. 

Officers began their CCTV trawl starting at the Underground station and found a man fitting Argoub’s description following and filming the victim as she got off the train. 

He was wearing the baseball cap found at the scene of the crime.

Twelve minutes later he was seen re-entering the station and is no longer wearing a baseball cap. 

He headed northbound and exited at Tooting Broadway tube station and entered a property on Garratt Terrace shortly after 4.00am, where he remained.

Back at the hospital, a nail clipping was taken from the victim. 

It was sent for forensic analysis and contained a partial DNA profile for Argoub.

Detective Constable Faye Castleman said: “On behalf of the victim and her family, I am pleased that justice has been served and I hope that this sentence can bring some closure for them. 

The victim was immensely brave throughout the investigation and I highly commend her courage.

"This was an extensive investigation, with numerous officers working together to locate the offender and highlights good proactive police work. 

This case also recognises the importance of forensics in helping to identify offenders.

"We take these cases very seriously and I would encourage anyone who has been through a similar experience to come forward and report it to us in confidence."

Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence is urged to contact police on 101. 

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Sunday, 4 October 2020

Abuser Faces Justice Four Decades On

A paedophile, who abused two young boys four decades ago, has been jailed for eleven years.

Graham Brightwell, 69, of Peabody Hill, West Dulwich preyed on the pair in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to six counts of indecent assault, which covered multiple incidents and one count of attempted buggery.

The offences were first reported to the police in September, 2017.

Both victims gave statements, detailing the abuse they suffered at the hands of Brightwell.

One victim said the abuse went on for eight years, ending when he turned 16 years-old.

Detective Constable Graham Blake from the West Area safeguarding unit, said: “Brightwell took advantage of his young victim’s vulnerability, sexually abusing them on numerous occasions when the opportunities presented themselves.

I would like to praise the victims’ courage in reporting what happened to them to police. 

A serious crime committed thirty years ago is still a crime. 

While investigations into non-recent sexual offences can be challenging, we have specially trained officers who will follow up all lines of inquiry, and seek to prosecute when the evidence will support it.”

To report a rape or sexual offence, call police on 101, report it online at www.met.police.uk or visit a police station. 

Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Saturday, 3 October 2020

Bus Stop Rapist Facing Prison

A rapist, who lured a 15 year-old girl away from a bus stop and attacked her in an alleyway, will be sentenced on November 3.

Deangelo Brown, 23, of Bank Close, Luton has been described by police as a “dangerous predator” following his conviction.

He was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of rape and sexual activity with a child.

An investigation was launched after the teenage girl stated that she had been raped near Harlesden High Street in Brent on the morning of Tuesday, March 10.

Brown had approached her while she was standing at a bus stop and after asking her age, he demanded that she follow him. 

Fearing for her safety the girl went with him into an alleyway, where she was attacked.

Having witnessed the incident, a member of public came to the victim’s assistance and walked her to Harlesden police station where she reported the assault. 

Brown’s description was circulated to officers and he was arrested nearby.

The teenager was taken to a Haven and provided with support from specialist trained officers.

Detective Constable Samantha Wilton, from the North West BCU, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to praise the bravery and composure shown by this young girl after experiencing a horrifying ordeal.

“The impact of that morning simply cannot be forgotten. Brown is a dangerous predator who has rightly been found guilty.

“I would also like to thank the person who helped the victim and kindly escorted her to the police station so that she wouldn’t be alone.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to contact police and report it so that we can bring those responsible before the courts.”

Friday, 2 October 2020

Bus Passenger Mugged And Stamped On

A bus passenger was robbed of his wallet and stamped on the head after boarding a service in north-west London.

Police have released this CCTV image of their suspect as the hunt to trace him continues.

The 33 year-old victim boarded a route 483 bus at 8.15pm in Ealing Road, Wembley on July 19.

He was assaulted as soon as he boarded by a man, who stole his wallet. 

He fought back and the pair ended up at the back of the bus, where the suspect forced him down into a seat.

He then knocked the victim to the floor and stamped on his head before fleeing the scene. 

The victim sustained cuts and bruising to his head, but did not require hospital treatment.

PC Nick Kortright, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said:"Although the injuries sustained were not serious ones, this was a sudden and violent attack that left the victim severely shaken. 

We need the public's help to identify the man in the image - please contact us as soon as possible if you have any information."

Anyone who has information should call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference CAD 7931/19July. 

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There have been no arrests; enquiries continue.

Thursday, 1 October 2020

Caught In The Act, Fact

A thieving employee has been caught on camera helping himself to over £6,000 cash from the company's safe.

Scott Smith, 45, of Windsock Close, Rotherhithe worked in Westminster and during a two-week period helped himself to the money from the office safe.

At the Old Bailey he was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months; ordered to complete 80 hours community service work and pay £2,000 compensation.

On December 4, last year Smith began stealing the cash after clocking out of work.

He stole varying amounts of cash totalling £6,855 and on the final occasion helped himself to two bottles of Belvedere Vodka, worth £250 each.

On December, 23 Smith failed to show for his shift. 

After several phone calls, Smith answered and confessed he had stolen some money from the safe.

The following day, a safe check was completed by the staff and more than £6,000 was recorded to be missing.

Smith, who was staying in Cardiff at the time, handed himself in to a police station on December 28 and was then interviewed.

The following day, he was transferred to a London police station to be questioned further by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Central West Basic Command Unit.

On December, 29 officers searched his other home address in London, where they found the two bottles of vodka, but no trace of the money.

CCTV from the workplace showed Smith stealing money from the safe 19 times, including the two bottles of vodka.

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Sawn-Off And Drugs Found In Abandoned Vehicles

Police stumbled upon a sawn-off shotgun, Class A drugs and a dealer's mobile phones when they checked-out two abandoned vehicles in east London.

At 5.39pm on Tuesday, September 15 officers on patrol in Burdett’s Road, Dagenham found the two unattended vehicles.Officers searched one of the vehicles and recovered the firearm alongside a quantity of drugs and mobile phones suspected of use in drug dealing.

There have been no arrests at this time.

Detectives from the East Area Command Unit are investigating.

Detective Inspector Dean Grafton said: “Myself and my officers are committed to bearing down on violent crime and are now conducting various enquiries to establish whether the vehicle and firearm are linked to any other incidents.

"The officers concerned who carried out this search are probationers and have exhibited that although they are new to policing, from the very outset we as police officers are determined to remove drugs and firearms from our streets.

Anyone who has information that could assist us is urged to call police. 

Members of the community and officers must work together to tackle violent crime and remove offenders from our streets.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 ref CAD 6145/15 Sept.