Author: Blake Foster

Rail services across south London and the wider network will face major disruptions over the festive period due to essential engineering works, with Network Rail carrying out upgrades aimed at improving reliability and safety. From December 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026, South Bermondsey station will be closed for a full platform rebuild, and no Southern trains will stop there during this time. Passengers are advised to use the London bus services instead. Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink, said: “With Christmas just around the corner, I would like to urge all our passengers to…

At 6.40pm on Tuesday November 11, a man on board the Eastbound District Line train from Sloane Square challenged a younger man who was vaping. According to police, the pair began to argue, and as the train arrived at Westminster Underground station the argument spilled over onto the platform. The younger man punched him in the face, fracturing his cheekbone and breaking his eye socket requiring surgery and causing damage to his vision. Officers would like to speak to the man pictured as they believe he may have information that could help with their investigation. Anyone who recognises him is…

The retail giant gave details of a £70 million commitment through its Levy Share service to create thousands of matched apprenticeships by 2030. The scheme enables levy-paying employers to transfer unused apprenticeship levy funds to businesses, charities, and community organisations. Since it was launched four years ago, the scheme has matched more than 3,800 apprenticeships, with two-thirds in the most deprived communities and a third in the care sector. Recommended reading: Claire Costello, chief people and inclusion officer at Co-op, said: “We launched Co-op Levy Share to unlock unused levy funds and turn waste into opportunity. “Four years on, alongside…

29-year-old John Nwaogbo from Erith was arrested in June 2023 at a safe house in Peacock Close in Barnet following an investigation by the Organised Crime Partnership, a joint unit of the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Metropolitan Police. John Nwaogbo (Image: National Crime Agency) Officers found a huge stash of cocaine linked to multi-kilo supplies across London. The drugs formed part of a wider operation orchestrated by 34-year-old Joshua Bromwell, from Harrietsham in Kent. Joshua Bromwell (Image: National Crime Agency) Bromwell used encrypted communications platform EncroChat under the handle ‘acecarlito’ to arrange cocaine deliveries to south London areas including…

Beibit Baimolda, 34, of no fixed address, was found guilty of murder following a trial at Inner London Crown Court. It follows an incident where police were called at 9pm on Monday, May 6, 2024, to reports of a disturbance at a property in Cranston Gardens, Chingford. Officers attended and gained entry to the address, where they found Oleg Sloboda lying on the floor of his bedroom with multiple stab wounds. He died at the scene. His Honour Judge Kelleher commended the first officers on scene for their actions and the efforts they made to treat Oleg. A post-mortem examination…

The London Ambulance Service was called to Chingford Mount Road just after 9am today (November 21) to reports of a crash. An ambulance crew and a paramedic in a fast response car were dispatched to the scene. A man was treated at the scene and was taken to the hospital as a priority. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.13am today (21 November) to reports of a collision at the junction of Chingford Mount Road and Genever Close, Chingford. “We sent an ambulance crew and a paramedic in a fast response car to the scene. “We…

The latest NHS England data has revealed that the number of patients facing corridor care for more than 12 hours at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) A&Es has increased by 50 per cent since July. In October, 949 patients waited more than 12 hours to be admitted once arriving at the emergency departments at Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Goodmayes. This is up from 612 patients in July, and marks a steady increase over the past few months: August saw 677 patients waiting more than 12 hours and September saw 772. Overall, there…

Police were called after a man was hit by a car on the Bermondsey section of the A2 at around 7am today (November 21). Officers arrived with paramedics who treated a 34-year-old man. Despite their attempts to save him, he died at the scene. LIVE updates as major road in south east London blocked ‘by crash’ The suspected driver of the car has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. An investigation is underway with a large police cordon in place on Old Kent Road near Dunton Road. Forensic officers are on the scene. Drivers are being…

TrustFord wants to support families who lost their homes and need supplies after Hurricane Melissa struck the Caribbean island late last month. Dozens of people were killed and the British Red Cross says 90,000 homes were lost in the storm, which brought winds of up to 185mph. The car retailer said some of its colleagues, customers, and friends had been “directly affected” by the natural disaster. Among those was TrustFord employee Andrea Thomas, who has family in Jamaica that have been impacted by the hurricane. She shared her story in a short video to raise awareness and encourage others to…

Brentwood Borough Council installed the new displays outside Brentwood Town Hall to replace those originally installed in 2009. The project was funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and forms part of a programme aiming to celebrate and promote Brentwood’s heritage and creativity. Councillor Dr Tim Barrett, chair of housing, health and community committee , said: “It’s essential that we continue to create opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with Brentwood’s rich and fascinating heritage. “The original lecterns proved highly popular among passers-by and visitors to the town hall, with many taking time to read and appreciate the information…