Author: Blake Foster

Kathryn James, from Romford, has been told by a debt collection agency that she owes £175 for an unpaid fine from last year in Collier Row Road. She claimed this was despite the fact she had appealed the charge on the grounds the first 30 minutes of parking in the road are free. According to Ms James, her husband had parked the car, which is registered in her name, while he went shopping on April 19, 2024. She claims that he had entered the registration details at the ticket machine to validate his free parking but returned less than half-an-hour…

The Caucasian shepherd just loves meeting his regular shopkeepers as well as passers-by — and is ‘paid’ for his troubles with tasty treats in exchange for some ‘therapy’ time offering canine comfort and friendship. His owner Isaac Sadeh moved to Hampstead last year and Julius immediately took to his new neighbourhood, where he is often seen wandering unleashed on his daily ‘walkies’ round. “Julius is now well-known on the High Street, walking without a leash,” Isaac explained. “My aim is to raise awareness in the Hampstead community about Julius’s ability to help children. I wanted to volunteer so I joined Therapaws charity with Julius.” Both…

Havering Council has begun early engagement on the project, with a stakeholder design workshop held on Monday, July 14. This follows the Romford Town Centre Masterplan in March 2025, which aims to revitalise the Market Place as both a central space for Romford Market and a lively public area for the wider town centre. Councillor Graham Williamson, cabinet lead for development and regeneration, said: “We have said all along that we will look to revitalise Romford Market Place. “This meeting is the next crucial part of the process where we will look at how we can preserve our town’s heritage…

Essex Police were called to Abridge Road shortly before 6.30pm yesterday (July 21) with reports of an incident.  At the scene, officers discovered a car had been involved in a crash with a pedestrian.  The pedestrian, a man in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.  He is understood to be from Basildon.  The driver of the car is in hospital with serious injuries that are not life-threatening.  READ MORE: Fundraiser set up to support girl allegedly sexually assaulted by asylum seeker An investigation is ongoing, led by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit. Any witnesses or anyone with information or…

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters have been called to a building under renovation on Blackfen Road, where a shop with flats above has been completely alight. The incident was first reported at 1.10pm today (July 22). Footage shows thick black smoke and fierce flames pouring from the ground and upper floors of the property, with part of a neighbouring roof also on fire. Station Commander Steve Howlett, speaking from the scene, said: “This is a very visible fire which is producing a significant amount of smoke in the area. Please keep your windows and doors closed if you…

A man in his 20s was rushed to hospital after reports of the incident near the Aspen Tree pub on Gobions Avenue on Sunday (July 20). His injuries were found to be not life-threatening or life-changing. Police were called to the scene at 9.52pm and another man, also in his 20s, was cautioned by officers on suspicion of affray. Multiple police vehicles were also pictured in Havering Road, not too far from The Aspen Tree pub, yesterday (July 21). Police at Havering Road (Image: Charmayne Headley) A photo obtained by the Romford Recorder shows officers standing in front of the open rear doors of…

The group of men are alleged to have carried out 35 burglaries and 20 related frauds between October 2024 and March this year. According to the Metropolitan Police, there have been 22 victims – who are said to have been targeted after using the dating app for LGBTQ+ members. Four men charged Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 22, of Weald Lane in Harrow, was arrested on April 3 and then charged two days later with one count of theft, 17 counts of burglary and 12 fraud offences. Mohammed Bilal Hotak, of Richmond Road in Hackney, was arrested on April 24 and charged…

The group of men are alleged to have carried out 35 burglaries and 20 related frauds between October 2024 and March this year. According to the Metropolitan Police, there have been 22 victims – who are said to have been targeted after using the dating app for LGBTQ+ members. Four men charged Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 22, of Weald Lane in Harrow, was arrested on April 3 and then charged two days later with one count of theft, 17 counts of burglary and 12 fraud offences. Mohammed Bilal Hotak, of Richmond Road in Hackney, was arrested on April 24 and charged…

Eight fire engines were sent to the scene after flames engulfed a shop with flats above at 1.10pm today (July 22). The entire ground floor, first floor, and roof are alight, and part of the roof of a neighbouring building has also caught fire. Station Commander Steve Howlett, who is at the scene, said: “This is a very visible fire which is producing a significant amount of smoke in the area. “Please keep your windows and doors closed if you live or work in the vicinity.” A 32-metre turntable ladder is being used as a water tower to tackle the…

The second annual Youth Fest for youngsters aged eight to 18 included workshops as well as performing, giving the budding musicians the chance to rehearse and perform together. The public concert staged at North Finchley’s Arts Depot centre at the end featured “an energising programme” showing their talent and enthusiasm. The festival was put on by Brass Bands England to encourage more music in schools. “The energy was incredible,” the organisation’s Sarah Baumann said. “To see so many young musicians on stage playing their hearts out is exactly what Youth Fest is all about.” The young musicians were welcomed on stage…