Author: Blake Foster

Police were called to Dartford High Street at around 11pm yesterday (December 12). Officers arrived with paramedics who took a man to hospital. His injuries are neither life-threatening nor changing. Two men – a 40-year-old from Plumstead and a 33-year-old from Dartford – have been arrested. A crime scene was reported locally as being in place this morning and patrols remain at the scene. A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 10.58pm on Friday 12 December 2025 to reports of an assault on Dartford High Street. “Officers attended alongside South East Coast Ambulance paramedics, who took the…

Network Rail has announced that upgrades between Brondesbury Park and Willesden Junction will continue over three weekends into the new year, following an 11-day partial closure during the Christmas period. The work involves replacing 10 sets of points—movable track sections that allow trains to switch lines—currently held in place by deteriorating timber sleepers. At Willesden Junction station (Image: Network Rail) Simon Milburn, infrastructure director for Network Rail Anglia, said: “We’re sorry for the extended closure at Christmas and the additional weekends in the new year, but this is a big job that will make a real positive impact for passengers…

Transport for London (TfL) has signed a new contract with Serco Group to continue operating the Santander Cycles scheme until 2031. The contract includes plans for major improvements, including the UK’s first in-dock e-bike charging system and a redesigned mobile app. Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “London’s boom in cycling shows no sign of slowing down, so it’s great to see further investment in improvements to the Santander Cycles scheme including the UK’s first in-dock charging for e-bikes and a new, easier-to-use app. “Following a record number of Santander Cycles member hires in October 2025 and soaring…

On December 6 at around 4.30am, two men broke into OPV Beauty in Brick Lane. They were caught on CCTV stealing and damaging what co-owner Opeyemi Adeyemo estimates to be tens of thousands of pounds worth of products. Opeyemi runs the salon with her sister Bukola and the siblings discovered the broken front door and aftermath inside the shop as they arrived for their day’s work later that morning. “They took a lot of makeup, they took our iPad, they took our MacBook and our specialist hair extensions which we just got from our suppliers,” Opeyemi told this paper. “In…

The outline application includes access arrangements along with parking, landscaping, drainage and supporting infrastructure across the site. Other plans include proposals to change a private house into a children’s home, convert offices into three semi-detached houses, and replace a cricket pitch with artificial turf. Here is the list of all the applications validated this week. Land to the West of Ongar, Ongar, CM5. Outline Planning Application for up to 85 dwellings, parking, landscaping, drainage, and associated infrastructure, with all matters reserved except access. Ref. No: EPF/2446/25 1, St Thomas More Close, Loughton, IG10 2FE. Certificate of Lawful Development for the…

The investment, agreed by Brent Council’s cabinet, will bring the total number of secure cycle hangars in the borough to more than 250 by 2026. The programme will also replace 30 older units, with at least 70 new hangars installed in high-demand areas, each providing secure, lockable storage for six bicycles. Cllr Krupa Sheth, who is responsible for public realm and enforcement, said: “We meant it when we said we are investing heavily to make Brent safer and greener. “Many residents asked us for more secure parking for their bicycles, and we are delivering.” More than 1,200 requests for hangar…

The Met Office defines a white Christmas as whenever a snowflake falls on Christmas Day – even if it doesn’t settle on the ground. Under that definition, London’s last white Christmas was in 2023 – although the last memorable snowy holiday for most Londoners was in 1999. Havering Libraries has a range of photos showing Havering under the snow from the 1890s to the 1990s. North Street, Romford, 1895-1905 North Street, Romford in 1895-1905 (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies) Havering Libraries estimates this picture of North Street to be taken around 1895-1905. Coated figures can be seen shovelling or sweeping snow…

The four-bedroom home in Woodberry Down is in a cul-de-sac near Epping town centre and the town’s Central Line station. Estate agent Douglas Allen says the house has been refurbished and extended, with a loft conversion meaning living space is now arranged over three floors, with a guide price of £875,000. Lounge with wood flooring and bay window to front (Image: Douglas Allen – Epping) Ground floor accommodation includes an entrance hall and living room with wooden flooring and a bay window, and a cloakroom. The kitchen, which has integrated appliances, opens on to a separate dining area. Kitchen with…

The four-bedroom detached house in Lake Rise, Romford, has been “thoughtfully designed and remodelled” by the current owners. On sale for £1,345,000, the house boasts plush and cosy rooms, a feature kitchen and views over nearby Raphael Park lake and fountain. At the front of the house there is generous off-street parking and access to the garage. The front porch leads into an entrance hall with doors opening to an expansive ground floor living space. Sitting room with bay window and stove (Image: Charles Stratton) The lounge, with a large bay window on the front of the house, merges seamlessly…

At the time he was living in Florence and running a chain of restaurants with his brothers called Fratelli la Bufala. Twenty-five years on and he’s just celebrated the anniversary of his much-loved restaurant Mimmo La Bufala. “It was just by chance,” says the 65-year-old. “I came here with my wife who is English and we were just passing by. We had other restaurants in Italy, but were starting to think about moving to England and saw this place for sale.” Mimmo’s menu is a celebration of the food from his native Naples – including wood-fired pizzas and seafood pastas.…