Author: Blake Foster

Our reporter submitted a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to the council asking how many Union Jacks and St George’s Cross flags have been removed in the borough since July 2025. We also asked what structures or buildings they were removed from, on what date and what street. The response revealed that a total of 67 flags have been taken down by the council in this time. Each of the flags were removed from council-owned “highway lighting assets”. The list of roads that the lighting assets are situated in reads: Andrews Gardens, Great Eastern Road, Dunock Road, Malmesbury Road, Percy…

TfL has confirmed it will not be paying Romford businesses for a loss of passing trade as a result of the Gallows Corner closure, and has no plans to do so. The Recorder understands TfL believes there is no legal basis for a compensation scheme, and that creating a one-off scheme would set a precedent for the rest of London. TfL has said it is instead “working closely” with the Valuation Office Agency to support them in assessing businesses’ claims for rate reductions. READ MORE: Everything we know about Gallows Corner works timeline A TfL spokesperson told this paper: “We’re…

The Grove Way property was the subject of a successful application for a premises closure order by Barking and Dagenham Council at Barkingside Magistrates Court. The property, a leasehold with a private rented property licence, was reportedly let on a short-term rental agreement. It was suspected of being used as a brothel and had been the focus of repeated criminal damage incidents, the council said, causing distress to neighbouring residents. The first incident occurred on Tuesday, September 30, when black oil was thrown across the windows and doors of the property and neighbouring homes. This was followed by further damage…

Kent Police was called at 11.04am today (November 20) to a report of a suspected wartime mortar shell on Top Dartford Road.  A mortar shell, also known as a mortar bomb, is an explosive projectile fired from a mortar, a type of artillery weapon Officers attended the scene alongside a Ministry of Defence bomb disposal team, who determined the item to be of “no threat”. It has since been safely disposed of. A cordon, which was in place between Princes Road and Bower Road, has now been removed. The incident was reported on a public Facebook group at around 1pm today (November…

Jason, 56, was last seen leaving his home in Hackney on November 5 and police have issued new CCTV of him. Jason’s family are ‘desperate’ to find him (Image: Met Police) Officers are growing increasingly worried two weeks on as temperatures drop below zero at night. Jason is 6 foot tall, of skinny build, and was last seen wearing black Sketchers, black bottoms and a black hoodie. Jason’s family are ‘desperate’ to find him (Image: Met Police) CCTV images show Jason in a shop on Theydon Road, Hackney, on October 22.  While this was filmed before he went missing, officers…

The incident happened at around 12.25pm on Wednesday, November 19. Police have confirmed the officer was on duty and on the way to an emergency at the time of the crash. No other vehicle is believed to have been involved. The officer died at the scene. The A12 was closed for a significant period while specialist officers carried out investigation work. Authorities have not yet released further details. Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “My thoughts and prayers, and those of the entire Essex Police family, are with the officer’s family and friends. “I want to pay tribute to our professional…

Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE is making history as the 697th Lord Mayor of London, succeeding Alderman Alastair King. She is only the third woman to hold the position but also the first to adopt the title of ‘Lady Mayor.’ Her official tenure began on November 7. Dame Susan was born and raised in West Ham, and went to Redden Court School in Harold Wood. She has experience in business, civic, and charitable services. Among her previous roles, she was the lead non-executive director for the Home Office, a trustee for Macmillan Cancer, chief executive for financial and professional services…

The Rolling Stones frontman, 82, visited Dartford Grammar and The Mick Jagger Centre, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of special events and performances. Sir Mick said: “I would like to offer my thanks to all the music teachers at The Mick Jagger Centre and at the school who inspired children and young people in their musical careers, music and the arts to help us to understand what it’s like to be human, what it’s like to express our feelings and emotions. “Singing and playing is a great way to express your feelings, whether they are feelings of anger, angst, tenderness or love.…

New City College and Kenson Highways have launched a training partnership centering around a new street works operative course at the college’s Rainham Construction and Engineering Campus. The launch this month introduced the City & Guilds-accredited course. Jonathan Yabsley, director at Kenson Highways, said: “This partnership is employer-led and industry-driven rather than just being educationally led and then applied to an industry. “With this new course, we are increasing employability and giving people the skills and education for jobs and careers in an industry that is struggling with human resource.” New City College has partnered with Kenson Highways (Image: New…

The retail giant has reached a sale and leaseback agreement on 24 stores and its Lutterworth depot with two separate buyers.   The key elements of these transactions are:   Four stores (Small Heath, Colindale, Coventry Abbey Park and Killingbeck) have been sold to DTZ Investors and leased back.  Twenty stores and the Lutterworth depot have been sold to Blue Owl Capital and leased back.  These transactions have raised a total of £568 million.  All properties are subject to 25-year lease agreements, with a contractual option to renew for an additional 10 years at each renewal point.  Asda will continue to operate…