Author: Blake Foster

Police said the incident happened in Barnard Park, Islington, at about 6pm on Saturday, April 12. They said a witness reported seeing a white man in a red jacket and dark bottoms expose himself in the park. Officers attended the scene, arrested a supect and he was subsequently charged. He currently remains in custody. The police are now appealing for anyone who was in the area of the children’s playground and saw this incident to contact them. To provide information you can call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote reference 01/7372667/25. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously…

Earlston Bennet, 57, of Towpath Way, Croydon, was charged with murder on Monday, April 14. He will appear in custody at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 15. An investigation was launched after officers were called to an address on Towpath Way, Croydon, at 4.55am on Saturday, April 12. Police arrived shortly after, but despite the efforts of attending emergency services, a 58-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. While formal identification is yet to take place, officers have named the woman as Sarah Reynolds. Her family is being supported by specialist officers. It is believed Bennet was known…

We used the following prompt: “Write a poem about Croydon” and put it into ChatGPT to find out what it was going to say. ChatGPT was publicly launched in late 2022 and has become a revolutionary tool, transforming the way people interact with AI and access information. The poem references the Whitgift Centre’s former vibrancy and the modern-day green spaces of Croydon. Here’s what ChatGPT had to say about Croydon. In Croydon’s heart, where the trams still glide,A tale of change, where old and new collide.The Whitgift’s echoes, once bustling with cheer,Now whispers of memories, fading year by year. From…

The affected section of the pipe has been located, and preparations for a full repair are ongoing. To ensure safety during the repair process, temporary traffic management measures have been set up at the site by Thames Water. These include a lane closure, temporary traffic signals, and a pedestrian crossing. Bus stops in the immediate vicinity have also been temporarily suspended, with advance signage in place, as per the approved traffic management plan. As part of the repair preparations, water will need to be drained from the damaged section of the main. This will result in water being discharged into…

Mike Ellis, 49, from Bexleyheath, revealed how his vehicle was almost stolen on two occasions, prompting him to take action to safeguard it from future theft attempts. Keyless car theft is a growing concern in the UK, with thieves using amplifying devices to pick up signals from keyless fobs, tricking cars into granting access. Mike Ellis said: “My wife’s car was stolen from our drive by thieves who cloned the key through our front door – all of which was caught on camera.” In response to this, Mike Ellis decided to use steering wheel locks and Faraday pouches to protect his vehicles.…

Speaking to Coronation Street star, Jack P Shepherd on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother, Palmer hinted about a change in roles. Palmer has played the role of Bianca Jackson on EastEnders since 1993, but has told Shepherd that she could take the move away from London and join him on Corrie. Talking in the Celebrity Big Brother kitchen, Palmer joked that she could “switch allegiances” and become a new partner of Shepherd’s character, David Platt. Can’t wait for Patsy to shout ‘JAAAACK’ across the street x #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/rnSnGXnP3l — Celebrity Big Brother UK (@bbuk) April 14, 2025 Patsy Palmer hints at EastEnders exit…

Cuppa’ Chaii, located at 112 High Street, officially opened on February 14, bringing with it a menu packed with homemade chai, freshly baked pastries, street food favourites, and ethically sourced coffee. The new branch marks an expansion from the franchise’s flagship site in Wimbledon and is the latest addition to Bromley’s growing independent food scene. The café’s spiced tea is based on a recipe first served in Karachi in 1966, passed down from the founder’s grandmother and updated with a modern South Asian twist. The counter at Cuppa Chai (image: Fariha Khan) “We looked around south east London and this…

Greg records different problem spots across the borough, documenting how certain gates make it impossible to pass through — especially with larger or adapted bikes. He shares videos of these encounters on his Instagram account, @greg.on.the.bike and recently highlighted a barrier on Robin Hood Lane as a key example of poor design. The gate forms part of the official London Cycle Network, but navigating it requires him to dismount and lift his bike over the obstruction — a task he says is not just inconvenient but impossible for many. Greg told the News Shopper: “For many people, especially those with…

Ten older tower blocks across the borough have been identified for major works, which will bring them closer in line with new fire regulations. They include Elizabeth House, Mountbatten House, Victoria House, Edinburgh House, Uphavering House, Parkview House, Overstand House, Kipling Towers and Dryden Towers. The council says it wants to ensure the “continued safety” of its homes and that they adhere to the Building Safety Act 2022, which was passed following the fatal Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. The cabinet voted to begin the tendering process at a meeting on Wednesday (April 9), with a view to starting work…

The Romford Roars Dinosaur Trail, organised by Romford BID, is free for visitors and will run from March 29 to April 22. The models, made from hundreds of thousands of toy bricks, have been placed at key locations throughout the town. The free family trail features triceratops, stegosaurus, and baby dinos (Image: SANDRA ROWSE) The trail will feature iconic dinosaurs, including a towering triceratops, a gigantic iguanodon, and a majestic stegosaurus. Young explorers can also discover a herd of baby dinosaurs and learn facts about these ancient creatures. Visitors can win prizes by completing Romford’s dinosaur adventure (Image: SANDRA ROWSE)…