Author: Blake Foster

Police stood guard at the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf today (August 24) after the Government set out plans for a fast-track appeals process to speed up the removal of people with no right to be in the UK. Ministers hope the overhaul of the asylum appeal process will make it easier to get people out of hotels and on planes out of the UK. In Canary Wharf, police officers stood at the entrance to the Britannia Hotel while security guards could also be seen standing behind full length barriers that blocked off the entrance way. About 20 protesters stood…

The council is investing £2.5 million every week, amounting to a record £130 million for 2025 to 2026, which is more than double the amount spent five years ago. This investment is part of the council’s plan to ‘invest in our housing’. The commitment has already resulted in upgraded council homes, faster, more reliable repairs, quicker turnaround of empty properties, and the largest programme of new council house building in over 30 years. Councillor David Carter, cabinet member for housing, said: “This isn’t just an investment in bricks and mortar – it’s an investment in people, in neighbourhoods, and in…

You turn up late afternoon with a hamper, a bottle of wine and a blanket. Families are setting up little camps with deckchairs, tables and even those inflatable sofas you see people waving through the air to fill. By evening it looks like a postcard. Wicker baskets and wine glasses on every patch of grass, children tearing around and the smell of hot food drifting over the crowd. We packed some stunning bread, cheese and dips but still ended up tempted by the food stalls. The wine also disappeared quite quickly so we enjoyed some top up cocktails. Saturday August 23,…

Sources have suggested that the 22-year-old son of the late Jade Goody will spend a year in India to learn more about the faith. He is to leave for India after his time on the popular BBC soap opera comes to an end later this year. EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier to quit showbiz to ‘pursue religion in India’ A source told The Sun:  “Bobby is really excited and happy about his move to India. He’s been telling everyone about it and preaching to them about why he is devoted to Hare Krishna.  “He’s such a nice young man, his heart is…

Here are five of Havering’s oldest boozers still in operation today. The Golden Lion, Romford The Golden Lion, Romford (Image: Google) One of the oldest pubs in all of east London is The Golden Lion, located in High Street where it has stood since around the fifteenth century.  According to Havering Libraries, the earliest mention of the pub and hotel dates back to February 1482 when it was known as The Lion.  In 1956, the watering hole was included in a compulsory purchase order seeing the demolition of a number of properties in High Street although it came out unscathed and was grade…

Police were called to the robbery on Cambridge Avenue shortly before 4pm on Saturday (August 23). A 21-year-old man was taken to hospital with a head injury after being assaulted. His injuries have been deemed not to be life-changing. He was later arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. There have been no further arrests and police are appealing for more information about the incident. A Met Police spokesperson said: “Officers were called around 15:50hrs on Saturday, 23 August to a robbery on Cambridge Avenue, Kilburn. “A 21-year-old man was assaulted and taken to hospital for a head…

Located on the north bank of Hanningfield Reservoir is the village of West Hanningfield in the borough of Chelmsford. The reservoir is believed to be the 11th largest in England and was created in 1957. As well as providing a source of regular water, it has been adopted by nature and is home to ducks and other wildfowl. Hanningfield Reservoir (Image: Google) On the opposite bank of the reservoir you will find Hanningfield Nature Reserve and Hanningfield Waterside Park. Essex Wildlife Trust described the reserve as a “serene woodland setting, with nature trails, bird hides and wonderful panoramic views over the 870-acre reservoir”. MORE NEWS: Tuition…

Around one million people are expected to attend the biggest street party in Europe today and tomorrow (August 24 and 25). “Great numbers” of officers from three police forces will be focussing on tackling serious violence as well as keeping people safe in the large crowds. Officers have already carried out a preemptive operation leading to 100 arrests, and the seizure of guns and knives. Police have now been granted temporary powers between 10am and 2am the next morning on August 24 and 25. Powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 have been granted…

Japanese knotweed is a plant species native to east Asia and was introduced to the UK in the 1800s. It can grow up to four inches a day and forms dense thickets which can kill native plant species and damage buildings. According to invasive planet experts Environet, it is now widely recognised as a “pest species that outcompetes native plants and causes damage in the built environment”. How Japanese knotweed can look in the summer months (Image: Environet) Using Environet’s data map, we have taken the average number of Japanese knotweed sightings from five postcodes in each area around Havering to provide an…

PC Robert Wing, who is attached to Specialist Operations, was charged on Thursday, July  24 with four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 27. The charges relate to alleged incidents involving the same victim between 2013 and 2016, while PC Wing was off duty. The Met confirmed its Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed. PC Wing was arrested on March 1, 2023 on suspicion of rape and immediately suspended from duty. Source link