Author: Blake Foster

Newham Council has launched a public consultation inviting residents to share their views on how the borough’s libraries should develop. Councillor Charlene McLean, cabinet member for resident engagement and resident experience, said: “We know our libraries are hugely popular in Newham. “Libraries are central to the wellbeing of many, many residents, and are popular with residents of all ages and backgrounds. “Obviously, you make any change to a popular service at your peril. “But we can’t stand still, and we’ve seen libraries transformed in recent years with a much stronger emphasis on digital services. “We want to build on our…

The 14-year-old aspiring rapper Bokassa was fatally stabbed as he travelled home on a route 472 bus on January 7. Two youths, aged 16, appeared at the Old Bailey to be sentenced today (July 25) after they pleaded guilty to Kelyan’s murder and having a knife. Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said Kelyan had boarded the bus just after 2pm to attend an appointment at the Youth Justice Centre in Woolwich. CCTV footage showed Kelyan went to sit on the back seat on the top deck, with a knife in the waistband of his trousers. Kelyan Bokassa died after being stabbed…

Damien Kowalski, 29, and Kacper Reszka, 21, were jailed for a combined total of over 20 years on July 18. The pair from Barn Mead in Harlow robbed three homes in September 2024 within a number of hours. Essex Police was called to two violent robberies on houseboats, first on September 1 and then 10 hours later on September 2. Around 1pm on September 2 a third robbery took place, this time in Hoddesdon. The pair were arrested at the scene in Hoddesdon by Hertfordshire Police officers and further arrested a few hours later after Essex Police detectives identified Kowalski…

Peter James Okuneye, 52, was found dead at his home in Bemersyde Point, Dongola Road West, on June 27. An inquest was opened into his death at East London Coroner’s Court on Thursday, July 24. “Police were called to the home of Mr Okuneye by a London Borough of Newham housing officer following reports of a bad smell emanating from the premises,” said coroner’s officer Jean Smyth. After forcing entry to the flat, officers found his body “in a state of decomposition”. MORE NEWS: Man who murdered stranger outside nightclub in Stratford jailed for life The Metropolitan Police Service decided the death was…

The number of caesarean sections (C-sections) has “shot up”, said chief executive Matthew Trainer, with the annual figure rising by a third in the past four years. In an exclusive interview, the boss of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) – which runs Queen’s – said he expects the maternity unit will fail to achieve a ‘good’ rating when its next inspection report is published. Staff are dealing with increasing numbers of mothers with health problems and language barriers, he said – and while Britain’s national birth rate is expected to fall in the coming years, east London’s is predicted…

Aspiring rapper Kelyan Bokassa was fatally stabbed as he travelled home on a route 472 bus on January 7. He had been sitting on the back seat of the bus on the upper deck when the two youths came at him with “lengthy machetes”. The youths, now aged 16, have been locked up for life at the Old Bailey today (July 25), with minimum terms of 15 years and 10 months. Kelyan Bokassa was killed (Image: MPS) They previously pleaded guilty to Kelyan’s murder and having a knife. The 14-year-old was fatally stabbed as he travelled home on a route…

Detective Sergeant Christopher Arnold, attached to Met Operations, appeared before a three-day hearing, which concluded on Wednesday (July 23). The panel heard that on July 22, 2021, an allegation was made that DS Arnold had intentionally touched a female officer on her buttock. The panel found DS Arnold had breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct and these breaches amounted to gross misconduct. Commander Lou Pudefoot, who leads Met Operations said: “The actions of DS Arnold were completely inappropriate and his behaviour fell well below the standards expected of a Metropolitan Police officer.  “He has rightly…

You could be entitled to claim council tax according to a new FOI, which revealed that Lewisham Council currently holds nearly £8 million in overpaid council tax. An information request to Lewisham Council revealed that a total of £7,863,925.04 (between 2000 and 2025) remains unclaimed across 57,977 households.  The figure represents 25 years of overpaid council tax, with credits left on closed or inactive accounts during that timeframe.  The figures, released in response to a Freedom of Information request, show that many residents could unknowingly be entitled to refunds worth hundreds of pounds. The unclaimed money dates to the year 2000 and…

Rokhsana Fiaz will continue in office until the end of her term in May 2026, with the election due to take place on May 7. In a statement, Mayor Fiaz said her achievements in office since 2018 included creating “homes people can afford, more jobs and opportunities, investment for our children”. In 2024 there were calls for Fiaz to resign after Newham was given the worst possible rating by a housing regulator. The Labour-run council was given a ‘C4’ grading by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) after it found “very serious failings” and discovered thousands of yet-to-be-done repairs on Newham Council properties and…

From Monday, August 4, Selborne Road will be closed to vehicles from Hoe Street for about six weeks. Drivers are urged to consider alternative routes, with two-way access maintained via South Grove and Palmerston Road. Traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will operate normally, Waltham Forest Council has said. Walthamstow Central station will remain open, but commuters are advised to check the Transport for London website for any bus route changes. Further updates will be provided as the project progresses, the council adds. Source link