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How safe is it for women to be on the streets in UK?

Robert said:
Theresa May did so, but the cannon would have been useless in those disturbances as the looters and burners did not confront police lines.

As all the looters were brought to justice it would be incorrect to say that the state was “soft” on them.
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The looters were brought to justice but the instigators and trouble makers were not because the riots were planned on Blackberry messenger and Canadian officials refused to decrypt the messages (Blackberry is Canadian).

And the only looters who were brought to justice were the ones without masks whereas looters with full masks couldn't be arrested because they couldn't be identified.

The looters decided to go on a rampage because they know the government is soft. If they had tried their stunt in USA/HK, it would've been a different outcome.

Now as for ER - the trouble makers whom were arrested and jailed were mainly the ones who chained themselves at Heathrow airport. Otherwise the 'peaceful' protesters who brought London to a standstill were not. This is why Extinction Rebellion, alongside neo-Nazi and Islamist terrorist groups, is now classified as a terrorist group.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51157718

Why? Because the police were powerless to arrest so called 'peaceful' protesters despite numerous requests from the government to plan the protests rather than desend on London adhoc.
 
Sarah Everard family hears cause of death not yet established

The family of Sarah Everard have heard that an initial postmortem examination has not established how she died, and further inquiries into the cause of her death are ongoing.

Everard’s parents, brother and sister were present at the opening of an inquest into her death on Thursday, and heard that the body of the 33-year-old was found in woods just outside Ashford in Kent.

The inquest in Maidstone, Kent, was opened and adjourned after a brief hearing, and a decision as to whether it will be reopened will be taken after the trial of serving police officer Wayne Couzens. Couzens, 48, from Deal, also in Kent, will stand trial for her kidnap and murder at the end of October.

Senior coroner Patricia Harding told Everard’s parents and her brother and sister listening to the proceedings “how very sorry, I am for your loss”.

The inquest heard that an initial postmortem following the discovery of Everard’s body did not provide “a medical cause of death” and pathologists would make conclusions after further examinations. Pathologists confirmed there was “no natural disease that would have caused her death”, the inquest heard.

Giving evidence at the inquest opening, acting DI Lee Tullett gave a brief outline of Everard’s disappearance, noting that she had left a friend’s house in Clapham, south London, at 9pm on 3 March. She had begun walking home and called her boyfriend, Josh Lowth, for 15 minutes, ending the call at 9.27pm.

Tullet told the inquest that she had not been heard from since that moment. “There was no social media presence, and she failed to attend a meeting at work the following day,” he told the coroner, “This was all very much out of character, Josh grew concerned and as a result contacted and informed the police, reporting her missing.”

A missing person’s inquiry started on Thursday evening and continued “through Friday and onwards”, said Tullet. The examination of CCTV footage and local inquiries enabled the police “to some degree” plot her route home, he added.

Asked where Everard’s body had been found, Tullet said her body was discovered in Hoad’s Wood, just outside Ashford in Kent. “We discovered Sarah there on the 10th March at about 4.20pm,” he said.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...rs-cause-of-death-not-yet-established-inquest
 
Technics 1210 said:
The looters were brought to justice but the instigators and trouble makers were not because the riots were planned on Blackberry messenger and Canadian officials refused to decrypt the messages (Blackberry is Canadian).

And the only looters who were brought to justice were the ones without masks whereas looters with full masks couldn't be arrested because they couldn't be identified.

The looters decided to go on a rampage because they know the government is soft. If they had tried their stunt in USA/HK, it would've been a different outcome.

Now as for ER - the trouble makers whom were arrested and jailed were mainly the ones who chained themselves at Heathrow airport. Otherwise the 'peaceful' protesters who brought London to a standstill were not. This is why Extinction Rebellion, alongside neo-Nazi and Islamist terrorist groups, is now classified as a terrorist group.

Why? Because the police were powerless to arrest so called 'peaceful' protesters despite numerous requests from the government to plan the protests rather than desend on London adhoc.
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I don’t believe those riots were organised by Blackberry - usual social media was used. Low level criminals don’t think about consequences - that is why they commit crime. Many incriminated themselves by filming their exploits. Secondly the UK cannot be “soft” if the courts were running 24/7 - unheard of in my time. The MoJ came down hard. British prisons are not “soft” - take it from me - they are grim, dirty places with constant threat of violence.

As for the Police being powerless to arrest, the MO of plenty of XR activists is to provoke the Police into arresting them, to jam up the custody cells and courts. So this legislation plays into their hands. No judge will bang them up for ten years. Nowhere to put them. The jails are all rammed.
 
Robert said:
I don’t believe those riots were organised by Blackberry - usual social media was used. Low level criminals don’t think about consequences - that is why they commit crime. Many incriminated themselves by filming their exploits. Secondly the UK cannot be “soft” if the courts were running 24/7 - unheard of in my time. The MoJ came down hard. British prisons are not “soft” - take it from me - they are grim, dirty places with constant threat of violence.

As for the Police being powerless to arrest, the MO of plenty of XR activists is to provoke the Police into arresting them, to jam up the custody cells and courts. So this legislation plays into their hands. No judge will bang them up for ten years. Nowhere to put them. The jails are all rammed.
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https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/aug/08/london-riots-facebook-twitter-blackberry

How Blackberry played a role.
 
The Duchess of Cambridge has written a "deeply personal and heartfelt letter" to Sarah Everard's family, according to reports.

Kate expressed her sadness and sympathy to the 33-year-old's loved ones in the message, according to the Daily Mirror.

Ms Everard went missing on 3 March while walking home from a friend's house in south London, and her body was found in woodland near Ashford in Kent a week later.

The duchess was among those who visited a memorial for Ms Everard at Clapham Common two weeks ago - not far from where she went missing.

It is understood Kate made the visit in part because she remembers what it felt like to walk around London at night before she got married.

She was seen pausing in front of floral tributes to Ms Everard, which were placed around a bandstand in the south London park.

According to the newspaper, Kate wrote the letter because she felt it was important for her to pay her respects personally.

It quoted a source saying: "Kate's letter was deeply personal and heartfelt, she expressed her absolute sadness at what Sarah's family and loved ones are going through.

"She said she knows that no words can change what happened but that she wanted to let them know that they and Sarah are in her thoughts."

Kensington Palace said it would not comment on private correspondence.

Serving police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, from Deal, Kent, has been charged with murdering Ms Everard.


https://news.sky.com/story/kate-wri...felt-letter-to-sarah-everards-family-12257964
 
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Good read, this
Living in fear of harassment is a universal female experience. This is my own story, in 10 parts
A recent YouGov survey found that 86% of women aged 18-24 in the UK have been sexually harassed. This statistic shocked me: did the other 14% notunderstand the question? To live in fear of harassment or assault is such a universal female experience that many of us don’t even think about it, having learned to accept it from an absurdly early age. It doesn’t break you but it shapes you, like a rock face getting battered by strong waves. This is my own story, in 10 parts.
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https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/mar/27/my-sons-ask-if-a-man-has-ever-hurt-me-not-really-i-lie-hadley-freeman
 
The home secretary has said "images can be taken out of context" after a review into the police's handling of the Sarah Everard vigil found officers "acted appropriately".

Speaking to reporters, Priti Patel said she backed the Metropolitan Police following the report's findings and was "appalled and shocked" to learn officers had been assaulted during the event.
 
It’s never safe for women to venture out at night in any country, let alone UK. Reason being that men are everywhere. Men are disgusting creeps who are obsessed with sex. Poor women suffer because of disgusting men. I feel so bad for Sarah Everard and other such women. They deserve better.
 
A Met Police officer has admitted kidnapping and raping Sarah Everard.

The 33-year-old vanished as she walked home in Clapham, south London, on 3 March. Her body was found a week later in woodland near Ashford, Kent.

Appearing at the Old Bailey via video-link, PC Wayne Couzens, of Deal, pleaded guilty both to kidnap and rape.

The court heard he also accepted responsibility for killing Ms Everard but did not enter a plea on the charge of murder.

BBC
 
Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens has pleaded guilty to the murder of Sarah Everard - in a case which caused widespread shock and outrage that led to protests at the rate of violence against women.

Couzens kidnapped Ms Everard in a hire car as she walked home alone from a friend's house in Clapham, south London, in March.

The 48-year-old firearms-trained parliamentary and diplomatic protection officer, who had clocked off from a 12-hour shift that morning, went on to rape and strangle the 33-year-old.

Last month, Couzens, from Deal in Kent, accepted responsibility for killing Ms Everard and pleaded guilty to her kidnap and rape.

Today, with five members of her family and Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick present in court, he pleaded guilty to her murder when he appeared at the Old Bailey via a video link from Belmarsh high security jail.

The police chief said she had personally apologised to Ms Everard's family, telling them how "very sorry" she is for their loss, adding the force was "sickened, angered and devastated by this man's crimes - they are dreadful, and everyone in policing feels betrayed".

Twelve officers are being investigated by the police watchdog over matters relating to the case.

SKY
 
The mother of Sarah Everard has told a court she is "tormented" at the thought of what her daughter endured.

The 33-year-old marketing executive was abducted by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens as he falsely arrested her for breaching Covid guidelines.

Couzens drove for several hours before raping and strangling her, and setting fire to her body.

Ms Everard's mother Susan told the Old Bailey she had kept her daughter's dressing gown as it smelled like her.

The sentencing hearing, which has been adjourned until Thursday, earlier heard how, on 3 March this year, Couzens used his police warrant card to trick Ms Everard into being handcuffed and getting in his hire car.

She had been walking from a friend's house in Clapham to her own home in Brixton at about 21:00 GMT.

CCTV has been released showing footage from bus cameras which caught the moment Ms Everard was put in Couzens' car.

Two witnesses saw him handcuff her but believed he was acting legitimately as a police officer.

'I yearn for her'
Reading a victim impact statement in court, Mrs Everard said: "She spent the last hours on this Earth with the very worst of humanity.

"Sarah died in horrendous circumstances. I go through the sequence of events. I wonder when she realised she was in mortal danger.

"Burning her body was the final insult. It meant we could never again see her sweet face and never say goodbye.

"Our lives will never be the same. We should be a family of five, but now we are four. Her death leaves a yawning chasm in our lives that cannot be filled.

"I yearn for her. I remember all the lovely things about her: she was caring, she was funny. She was clever, but she was good at practical things too. She was a beautiful dancer. She was a wonderful daughter."

Does following the 'rules' keep women safe?
Ms Everard's father Jeremy asked for a photograph of his daughter to be shown to the courtroom as he read his impact statement.

He first, though, told Couzens to look at him, saying: "No punishment that you receive will ever compare to the pain and torture that you have inflicted on us."

Prof Everard told the killer "there can be no redemption" for what he had done.

"All my family want is Sarah back with us. We loved being a part of Sarah's world and expected her to have a full and happy life.

"The closest we can get to her now is to visit her grave every day."

Couzens' two-day sentencing hearing has been told that Ms Everard's ordeal could be summarised as "deception, kidnap, rape, strangulation, fire".

He had worked on Covid patrols in January, the court heard, and so would have known the appropriate formal terms regarding potential breaches.

Mrs Everard said: "In the evenings, at the time she was abducted, I let out a silent scream: 'Don't get in the car, Sarah. Don't believe him. Run.'"

The family of Sarah Everard were dignified as they described losing a daughter, a sister and even future generations of children.

Ms Everard's sister Katie, mother Susan and father Jeremy all read out victim impact statements. Ms Everard's father and sister both directly addressed Couzens - who had his head bowed - demanding he look at them as they spoke.

Jeremy Everard told him: "I can never forgive you for what you have done, for taking Sarah away from us… she was handcuffed and unable to defend herself.

"You burnt our daughter's body - you further tortured us - so that we could not see her again. You murdered our daughter and forever broke the hearts of her mother, father, brother, sisters, family and friends."

Katie Everard asked Couzens: "What could she have thought she had done wrong? What lies did you tell her?

"When did she realise that she wasn't going to survive the night?"

A week after she disappeared, Ms Everard's body was found in a woodland stream in Ashford, Kent, just metres from land owned by Couzens.

Her body and clothes had been put inside a refrigerator and set alight before being moved in builders' bags.

The court heard that a couple of days after burning Ms Everard's body, Couzens took his wife and two children on a family trip to the woods.

Ms Everard's sister Katie described packing up her younger sister's "whole life" when collecting her possessions from the Brixton flat she never returned to: "Washing was left hanging and packages were waiting to be opened when she got home.

"But she never got home because a predator - you - was on the loose. Prowling the streets for hours looking for his prey.

"My only hope is that she was in a state of shock and that she wasn't aware of the disgusting things being done to her by a monster.

"I want to speak to her and hug her and hear her laugh and go out for dinners and drinks and dancing.

"All those conversations we can never have. There were so many things I wanted to share with her - trips abroad, being each other's bridesmaid, meeting her babies and being an aunty, growing old together and seeing who got the most wrinkles.

"You took her life. Children that will never be born. Generations that will never exist.

"Her future no longer exists."

Couzens, who could be given a whole-life term, has admitted kidnap, murder and rape. He will be sentenced on Thursday
 
Horrible beyond belief. That poor lady, going out if life in fear and pain. I wonder how long before she realised that he meant harm.
 
OMG the absolute horror of it. This is gut wrenching to even read.
 
A Met Police officer who murdered Sarah Everard after kidnapping her under the guise of an arrest has been sentenced to a whole-life prison term.

Wayne Couzens abducted the 33-year-old as she walked home from a friend's house in south London on 3 March.

During the sentencing of Couzens, the judge said the case was "devastating, tragic and wholly brutal".

Ms Everard's family said they were relieved by the fact that Couzens would die in jail.

Speaking to reporters outside the Old Bailey following his sentencing, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she recognised that a "precious bond of trust" had been damaged by Couzens, who had "brought shame on the Met".

Describing him as a "coward", she said his crimes were "a gross betrayal of everything policing stands for", adding: "I am so sorry."

When sentencing Couzens, Lord Justice Fulford described the circumstances of the kidnap, rape and murder as "grotesque", telling him he had "betrayed" his family. He said Ms Everard was "an intelligent, resourceful, talented and much-loved young woman, still in the early years of her life".

The judge told 48-year-old Couzens: "Notwithstanding your guilty pleas, therefore, I have seen no evidence of genuine contrition on your part, as opposed to evident self-pity and attempts by you to avoid or minimise the proper consequences of what you have done."

He said the seriousness of the case was so "exceptionally high" that it warranted a whole-life order.

"The misuse of a police officer's role such as occurred in this case in order to kidnap, rape and murder a lone victim is of equal seriousness as a murder for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause," he told the Old Bailey. "All of these situations attack different aspects of the fundamental underpinnings of our democratic way of life."

Reacting to the sentencing, Ms Everard's family said they were pleased with the full-life term, adding that although "nothing can make things better, nothing can bring Sarah back... knowing he will be imprisoned forever brings some relief.

"Sarah lost her life needlessly and cruelly and all the years of life she had yet to enjoy were stolen from her. Wayne Couzens held a position of trust as a police officer and we are outraged and sickened that he abused this trust in order to lure Sarah to her death. The world is a safer place with him imprisoned.

"It is almost seven months since Sarah died and the pain of losing her is overwhelming. We miss her all the time. We hold her safe in our hearts."

As Wayne Couzens was told he would spend the rest of his life in prison, he kept his head down as he has throughout his time in the dock. He was shaking as he was sentenced.

The Everard family looked on. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick was in court to hear the sentence. Her officer a convicted murderer and rapist.

Mr Justice Fulford told Couzens his offences were "warped, selfish and brutal". The judge said Sarah "was simply walking home".

After Couzens was sentenced, police officers who investigated the murder hugged the Everard family. But as her parents and sister said yesterday, all they want is Sarah back and no punishment will ever compare to the pain and torture Couzens had inflicted on them.

Lord Justice Fulford paid tribute to the dignity of Ms Everard's family, whose statements in court on Wednesday "revealed the human impact of Couzens' warped, selfish and brutal offending which was both sexual and homicidal".

The judge added that Couzens had eroded public confidence in the police in England and Wales.

In a letter she wrote before Dame Cressida spoke to reporters, senior Labour MP Harriet Harman called on the Met Police commissioner to resign. Ms Harman said women's confidence in the police "will have been shattered" and it would be impossible for Dame Cressida to oversee the changes needed to rebuild trust.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said there were "serious questions" for the Metropolitan Police regarding the Couzens case, adding that the force "will be held to account".

She described the crimes as "sickening" and said it was right that this "monster" had been given a whole-life sentence.

BBC
 
The Everard case is one that has resonated with a lot of people. What makes it really terrible is that it was carried out by a serving police officer on the pretence of arresting her.

Terrible to hear what happened to her.

One can only imagine what her family are going through.
 
Depends on the area. Some places are dangerous where as others are very safe. Most are relatively safe in my opinion. At night time even men are vulnerable to being attacked and mugged.
 
Wayne Couzens may have been responsible for more crimes, including an indecent exposure just 72 hours before he kidnapped, raped, and murdered Sarah Everard.

The 48-year-old was linked to the incident at a McDonald's in Swanley, Kent, but, although his car was reported to officers, he was not named as a suspect and the investigation remains incomplete.

The revelation came from Assistant Met Commissioner Nick Ephgrave, who was speaking after Couzens was given a whole life sentence for the murder of Ms Everard.

Mr Ephgrave said a vehicle associated with Couzens had also been identified in another indecent exposure allegation in Kent in 2015 but that investigation resulted in no further action.

When Couzens joined the police force in 2018, vetting did not flag up the connection.

Mr Ephgrave said the Met had been referred to the Independent Office For Police Conduct over the Swanley incident and a file sent to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to the alleged crime itself.

Sarah Everard murder: Met Police chief Dame Cressida Dick 'so sorry' after serving officer used his 'position of trust' to murder marketing executive

He added: "We ask anyone in the service or any member of the public that might have any information about Couzens's behaviour - either as an officer or member of the public - that might be relevant, please come forward."

The police watchdog is also investigating five officers over claims they sent misogynistic, racist and homophobic material with Couzens over WhatsApp months before he killed Ms Everard, according to a report in The Times.

On Thursday, the Old Bailey had heard that Couzens used his Metropolitan Police-issued warrant card and handcuffs to abduct Ms Everard as she walked home in London on the night of 3 March, citing lockdown rules to make her think she was being arrested.

The firearms-trained parliamentary and diplomatic protection officer drove to a secluded rural area near Dover where he raped her.

He strangled her with his police-issue belt by 2.30am the following morning.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has resisted calls to resign and said she will "do everything in (her) power to ensure any lessons are learned".

The Met said it would publish a new strategy for tackling violence against women and girls, and that it would no longer deploy plain clothes officers on their own.

Met Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House told the London Assembly's police and crime committee on Thursday that the actions of Couzens had raised questions on recruitment and vetting, adding: "We know we have to work to rebuild trust and confidence, and we will do all we can to achieve that."

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who led the murder investigation, said: "As you would expect, we have a number of inquiries ongoing to establish whether Wayne Couzens is responsible for any other offences.

"Thus far, there is nothing of the nature or seriousness of the offences for which he has been put in prison today."

She added that she would never forget witnessing the recovery of Ms Everard's body, after it had been identified by police dogs in a Kent pond.

She said: "Officers took off hats as a mark of respect.

"After the terrible way he had treated her, we wanted to show her the utmost respect and care."

SKY
 
I have been meeting my Mrs at the station every evening after she finishes work even though it is around a 5 minute walk from my house, unfortunately this is what it has come to after recent events.
 
silentkiller187 said:
I have been meeting my Mrs at the station every evening after she finishes work even though it is around a 5 minute walk from my house, unfortunately this is what it has come to after recent events.
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Very sensible approach.

May ALLAH swt keep us and loved ones safe, Amen
 
silentkiller187 said:
I have been meeting my Mrs at the station every evening after she finishes work even though it is around a 5 minute walk from my house, unfortunately this is what it has come to after recent events.
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Good approach. Sadly this feels necessary at the moment. my Mrs doesn’t take the children out by herself anymore, I will accompany them. Also we don’t answer the door to delivery drivers at the moment, instead we have a designated safe place in the back garden.
 
James said:
Good approach. Sadly this feels necessary at the moment. my Mrs doesn’t take the children out by herself anymore, I will accompany them. Also we don’t answer the door to delivery drivers at the moment, instead we have a designated safe place in the back garden.
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Sad to read.

I think overall UK is a safe place but I can understand not taking any chances, its your loved ones after all.

I also think to stop sexual abuse agaisnt women, Prince Andrew needs to be held accountable, its sending the wrong message to the predators out there.
 
Unsafe for women. I am always on tenderhooks when my wife used to travel. Luckily she rarely travelled alone. Things have gotten worse over the years. I have a young daughter and can't imagine anything happening to her. I am always around or near them for pick ups or drop offs..
 
A Met Police officer who killed Sarah Everard after kidnapping her under the guise of an arrest has applied to appeal against his prison term.

Wayne Couzens abducted the 33-year-old as she walked home from a friend's house in south London on 3 March.

During sentencing, the judge had said the abuse of power was so exceptional that it warranted a whole-life order.

It was the first time the sentence had been imposed for a single murder of an adult not committed in a terror attack.

A Court of Appeal official said on Wednesday: "An application (for permission to mount an appeal against sentence) has been lodged."

When sentencing Couzens last month, Lord Justice Fulford described the circumstances of the kidnap, rape and murder as "grotesque", telling him he had "betrayed" his family.

He said the seriousness of the case was so "exceptionally high" it warranted a whole-life order.

Reacting to the sentencing, Ms Everard's family said they were pleased with the full-life term, adding that although "nothing can make things better, nothing can bring Sarah back... knowing he will be imprisoned forever brings some relief."

Earlier this month, Reading terrorist Khairi Saadallah lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his whole-life sentence for the murders of three men, following a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice.
 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59054772

Young women across the UK are boycotting nightclubs this week in protest at the injector spiking trend.

I find this baffling and horrifying. Back in the ancient past when my mates and I would chase girls we didn’t spike them. If we got a knock-back we would try talking to someone else. Rendering them unconscious with drugs was unthought and unthinkable because we respected women. What has gone wrong with society?
 
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick is leaving her role after a series of damaging controversies.

Dame Cressida said she had been left with "no choice" after London Mayor Sadiq Khan made it clear to her he had no confidence in her leadership.

Last week, the police watchdog found "disgraceful" misogyny, discrimination and sex harassment among some Met PCs.

Dame Cressida was the first woman to lead the UK's biggest police force.

Speaking on BBC London hours before her departure was announced, she said she was "seething angry" about the watchdog's findings and that she had "absolutely no intention" of quitting.

But in his statement, Mr Khan said he was "not satisfied" with Dame Cressida's response and that she "will be stepping aside" as a result.

Mr Khan thanked the commissioner for her 40-year policing career.

He said he would now "work closely with the home secretary on the appointment of a new commissioner" with an aim to restore trust in the Met.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Dame Cressida "has served her country with great dedication and distinction over many decades".

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the police chief held the role "during challenging times" and that she "exemplified the increasingly diverse nature of our police".

Dame Cressida, who served in the role for four years, has agreed with the mayor that she will continue to serve for a short time period to enable an orderly handover.

'Damaged confidence'

She said in a written statement: "It is with huge sadness that following contact with the mayor of London today, it is clear that the mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership to continue.

"He has left me no choice but to step aside as commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service."

"The murder of Sarah Everard and many other awful cases recently have, I know, damaged confidence in this fantastic police service," she added.

"There is much to do - and I know that the Met has turned its full attention to rebuilding public trust and confidence. For that reason I am very optimistic about the future for the Met and for London."

Ken Marsh, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers in London, said Dame Cressida had been unfairly treated.

"We feel the way she has been treated is wholly unfair and we did believe that she was the person who could take us through this and bring us out the other side," he said.

BBC home affairs correspondent June Kelly said the relationship between the mayor and commissioner has to work - and once Dame Cressida had lost his confidence, and after he was so public about that, things had become toxic.

June Kelly added this was a repeat of a situation we saw more than a decade ago, when then Commissioner Sir Ian Blair was forced out by the former London Mayor Boris Johnson.

BBC
 
A good strong decision from Sadiq Khan to move her on.

She has been completely tone deaf in the role, has rejected all feedback and advice, and has overseen one of the most shameful and corrupt periods in the history of the London Met. (and that’s saying something.)

One of Sadiq’s best calls thus far.
 
James said:
A good strong decision from Sadiq Khan to move her on.

She has been completely tone deaf in the role, has rejected all feedback and advice, and has overseen one of the most shameful and corrupt periods in the history of the London Met. (and that’s saying something.)

One of Sadiq’s best calls thus far.
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Do you think her replacement will be any better ?
 
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-60345334

<b>Cressida Dick: New Met chief must tackle policing culture, says Priti Patel</b>

The new Metropolitan Police commissioner must tackle police culture and conduct, Priti Patel has said.

Writing in the Evening Standard, the home secretary said "strong and decisive new leadership will be required to restore public confidence".

On Thursday Cressida Dick said she had to resign from the role after London's mayor made it clear to her he had no confidence in her leadership.

It followed cases of sexism and misogyny among some Met officers.

Last week, the police watchdog found "disgraceful" examples of bullying and sexual harassment at Charing Cross police station in central London.

Dame Cressida, the first woman to lead the UK's biggest police force, also faced criticism over the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer last year, and a series of other scandals.

Beyond London, the Met is also responsible for national counter-terrorism policing, and Ms Patel said the Met commissioner was "a national leader, with a critical national role".

The BBC has been told the home secretary has clashed with the Labour mayor over the resignation.

Home Office sources said they were "astounded" that Mr Khan's previous comment that Dame Cressida had "days and weeks" to sort out the Met turned into "less than 48 hours".

Dame Cressida is thought to have offered her resignation after declining to meet Mr Khan to discuss her plans for reforming the Met - but the BBC understands he did not inform Priti Patel about the meeting.

She said she had "agreed to stay for a short period to ensure the stability of the Met".

Her successor will be appointed by the home secretary, in consultation with the mayor of London.

Contenders include Matt Jukes and Neil Basu, who are both assistant Met commissioners.

Prime ministers have no formal role in appointing the commissioner, but Boris Johnson has nevertheless faced calls to stay out of the process entirely because of the ongoing Met investigation into lockdown parties at Downing Street.

Home affairs committee chairwoman Diana Johnson, a Labour MP, said she hoped Mr Johnson would "completely stand aside from any discussion about who the new commissioner should be".

Ms Patel said the new commissioner must be "focused on the basics", including tackling the abuse of women and girls, drugs and knife crime.

"Policing culture and conduct have rightly come under scrutiny," she added. "Be in no doubt that a new leader must tackle these institutional issues."

But Sir Peter Fahy, a former chief constable for Greater Manchester Police, said the idea that replacing one commissioner would change policing culture was "naive".

He told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme Dame Cressida's resignation would be "a blow" to female officers who saw her as a role model - and could put people off applying for senior positions.

Ken Marsh, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers in London, said Dame Cressida had been unfairly treated and the association had believed "she was the person who could take us through this".

Former Met Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson told LBC "we should be casting the net as wide as possible" to find the best candidate for the role, including outside policing.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, chief executive of the College of Policing which sets standards for training in policing, told BBC News it would be wrong to say that issues of culture were confined to London and said "policing must respond to this collectively" across England and Wales.

Inspector Andy George, president of the National Black Police Association, told BBC News that while Dame Cressida had done an "awful lot of good" in her time it was right that she resigned so that there could be wholesale change across the Met and policing in general.

He added there should be an independent system for internal grievances to help improve the culture within forces.

Speaking on BBC London hours before her departure was announced, Dame Cressida insisted she had "absolutely no intention" of quitting.

But Mr Khan said he was "not satisfied" with Dame Cressida's response to the scale of change required to "root out" racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying and misogyny in the Met.

Last Friday, the Met submitted a plan on reforming the force but a City Hall source said Mr Khan had made it clear through officials that plan was not going to work.

Susan Hall, leader of the Greater London Assembly Conservatives, said the mayor had handled the situation "extremely badly".

In her resignation statement, Dame Cressida, who served in the role for almost five years and was recently given a two-year contract extension, said that the murder of Ms Everard and "many other awful cases recently" had damaged confidence in the force.

"There is much to do - and I know that the Met has turned its full attention to rebuilding public trust and confidence," she said.

Some people have welcomed her resignation.
Ricky Waumsley, the partner of Daniel Whitworth who was murdered by serial killer Stephen Port, said the resignation was "about time" and that Dame Cressida was not capable of dealing with the homophobia, sexism and racism within the Met.

Jamie Klingler, co-founder of campaign group Reclaim These Streets, which is bringing a legal challenge against the Met over its handling of a Sarah Everard vigil, said Dame Cressida's resignation came "11 months too late" and said reform and change had not been possible under her leadership.
 
Three police officers who worked with Sarah Everard's killer Wayne Couzens have been charged over allegations they shared racist and misogynistic messages with him.

Two serving Metropolitan Police officers and one former officer have been charged with sending grossly offensive messages on WhatsApp, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence last year for killing Everard during a fake arrest, while a serving member of the Metropolitan Police.

He murdered the 33-year-old after abducting her on 3 March 2021 in south London.

The CPS said it cannot name the trio for "operational reasons". It is normal for people to be named when they are charged - even if they are police officers.

A spokesman was not able to provide more information about the decision - but said it was being kept under review.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) sent prosecutors a file on allegations the three shared racist and misogynistic messages with Couzens between April and August 2019.

File photo dated 13/3/2021 of people in the crowd turn on their phone torches as they gather in Clapham Common, London, for a vigil for Sarah Everard. Former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, will appear at the Old Bailey in London, on the first day of a two-day sentence hearing after pleading guilty to the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard. Issue date: Wednesday September 29, 2021.

In a statement, the IOPC said: "Two serving Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers and one former MPS officer are to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 16 March charged in connection with an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation into the sending and sharing of inappropriate messages on WhatsApp.

"They are charged with sending grossly offensive messages on a public communications network contrary to section 127 of the Communications Act 2003."

The IOPC's investigation began following a referral from the Met last April.

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: "Following a referral of evidence by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the CPS has authorised charges against two serving Metropolitan Police officers and one former officer."

The two officers who were still serving were placed on restricted duties while the investigation took place.

The Met said in a statement: "We are aware of charges brought against two serving Metropolitan Police officers and one former officer about sending grossly offensive messages on a public communications network.

"They are suspended from duty."

SKY
 
An "evil" garage worker who attacked primary school teacher Sabina Nessa as she walked through a London park has been jailed for life for her murder.

Koci Selamaj, 36, was told by a judge he will serve at least 36 years for the "savage" sexually motivated attack.

His sentencing heard how Ms Nessa appeared "oblivious" as he ran up behind her before he struck her 34 times over the head with a metal traffic triangle on 17 September last year.

The 28-year-old had raised concerns about walking in Cator Park after dark but likely decided to on the day of her murder after running late to meet a friend, prosecutors believe.

The sentencing of Selamaj continued at the Old Bailey on Friday, where the 36-year-old was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years after refusing to appear in court.

Mr Justice Sweeney said Ms Nessa was the "wholly blameless victim of an absolutely appalling murder which was entirely the fault of the defendant."

He added that her death added to "the sense of insecurity" particularly felt by women walking through London at night.

"She had every right, as her family said, to be walking through the park all glammed up and out to enjoy herself after a long week at work."

The judge noted Selamaj's guilty plea and lack of previous convictions, but added: "It is a striking feature of the defendant's case that, clearly deliberately, it is not suggested by him that he had any remorse for what he did to Sabina Nessa."

The Albanian national, from Eastbourne, was arrested in the East Sussex seaside town and later pleaded guilty to her murder.

At the hearing on Thursday, prosecutor Alison Morgan QC said Selamaj had been violent towards his ex-partner in the past, including throttling her.

On the day of the killing, Selamaj drove up to London and entered Cator Park just after 8pm, lying in wait for half an hour before Ms Nessa arrived en route to a bar where she was meant to meet a friend.

In CCTV footage shown in court on Thursday, Koci Selamaj was seen walking along the path with his hood up and the traffic sign in his hand.

She is "oblivious to him behind her" at this point, the court heard.

He then runs behind her and starts hitting her repeatedly with the traffic sign.

Selamaj was then seen carrying Ms Nessa, who appeared to be unconscious by that point, up a bank and out of sight.

Ms Morgan invited the court to conclude there was a sexual motive for the killing, even though there was no "positive" evidence of a sexual assault.

Ms Nessa's sister Jebina Yasmin Islam broke down as she gave a moving impact statement to the court.

"She had every right to be walking down the path and enjoying herself," she said.

"She had the right to feel safe."

Selamaj came to the UK roughly seven years ago after leaving school at 12 with no qualifications, his defence barrister said.

The defence pointed out he had pleaded guilty to murder rather than letting the case go to trial, arguing it should be considered in sentencing.

Ms Nessa's family hugged supporters as they left court on Friday.

Following the sentencing, Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Neil John described Selamaj as an "evil coward".

He said: "It is highly unusual for someone to go from zero to a crime of this magnitude.

"We are pleased Selamaj will spend the majority of his life in prison."

After the hearing, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Whilst I cannot possibly know how Sabina's family and friends are feeling, I hope today's sentence brings them a small comfort, knowing that this evil monster has faced justice.

"As Home Secretary, tackling violence against women and girls is central to my Beating Crime Plan and I am doing everything in my power to target perpetrators, protect the public and make our streets safer for everyone."

SKY
 
I would never venture out in the evenings by myself as it is not safe, and know family and friends who try to get home before it is dark. This country is not as safe as it once was, cut-backs in police numbers and police stations, lack of convictions in rape cases and little support or refuges for women - because of cuts to local council funding - have led to women's safety being compromised.

We (my Mother - who is in a wheelchair - and I) go out during the day and ensure it is busy with lots of people around. I hope the recent tragic cases of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa highlight the need for greater policing, with emphasis upon properly trained officers patrolling the streets.
 
Jadz said:
I would never venture out in the evenings by myself as it is not safe, and know family and friends who try to get home before it is dark. This country is not as safe as it once was, cut-backs in police numbers and police stations, lack of convictions in rape cases and little support or refuges for women - because of cuts to local council funding - have led to women's safety being compromised.

We (my Mother - who is in a wheelchair - and I) go out during the day and ensure it is busy with lots of people around. I hope the recent tragic cases of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa highlight the need for greater policing, with emphasis upon properly trained officers patrolling the streets.
Click to expand...

Very tragic this - May Allah swt keep us all safe, Ameen
 
I am no longer comfortable with my wife being out and about after work. Either by herself or with our kids. Only if I am there too. Very sad
 
The sister of a woman who was murdered by a stranger has said Home Secretary Priti Patel is not prioritising tackling violence against women.

Koci Selamaj was jailed for life after attacking Sabina Nessa in a park in south-east London in September 2021.

He repeatedly hit Ms Nessa, a 28-year-old primary school teacher, over the head with a metal traffic triangle and then strangled her.

Her sister Jebina Islam has criticised Ms Patel for "a lack of support".

Ms Patel had tweeted: "Sabina Nessa lost her life due to the harrowing and callous actions of a man who's rightly now behind bars.

"While I can't possibly know how Sabina's family and friends are feeling, I hope today's sentence brings them a small comfort, knowing this evil monster has faced justice.

"As Home Secretary, tackling violence against women and girls is central to my Beating Crime Plan and I am doing everything in my power to target perpetrators, protect the public and make our streets safer for everyone."

Ms Islam responded by saying: "You don't know what we as a family are going through and to be honest you haven't even bothered to ask since the death of my sister.

"Lack of support from yourself and Boris Johnson just shows how 'important' it is to tackle male violence to you guys".

The Home Office said it would not comment.

Selamaj was jailed at the Old Bailey for a minimum term of 36 years.

BBC
 
Jadz said:
I would never venture out in the evenings by myself as it is not safe, and know family and friends who try to get home before it is dark. This country is not as safe as it once was, cut-backs in police numbers and police stations, lack of convictions in rape cases and little support or refuges for women - because of cuts to local council funding - have led to women's safety being compromised.

We (my Mother - who is in a wheelchair - and I) go out during the day and ensure it is busy with lots of people around. I hope the recent tragic cases of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa highlight the need for greater policing, with emphasis upon properly trained officers patrolling the streets.
Click to expand...

Sad that women feel so unsafe. I am guessing you are based out of London. I felt areas in London are the worst, but have never really lived outside of the M25.

It was not until I moved to Germany, that I realised that this was not normal. Here in Germany, women can come back at whatever time and there is absoloutely no danger.
 
<b>Sabina Nessa: murdered teacher case would have got more attention if ‘normal British white family’ says sister</b>

<I>The 28-year-old's sister believes the family's ethnicity meant the media treated the case differently to Sarah Everard's killing.</I>

Sabina Nessa's sister has said the case would have got more attention if they had been a "normal British white family".

Ms Nessa, a primary school teacher, was murdered at random by Koci Selamaj as she walked through a London park in September. He was jailed last week for at least 36 years.

Jebina Yasmin Islam said the case had initially not got as much media coverage as the murder of Sarah Everard, who was killed by a serving police officer.

She also claimed Home Secretary Priti Patel had used her sister's name for "publicity".

"My sister didn't get as much headlines, I feel, at the start. Maybe was it down to her ethnicity?" she told the BBC's Today programme.

"She didn't get the front pages on some of the papers, and in Sarah Everard's case she did. I think it's just down to our ethnicity, to be honest.

"And I feel like if we were a normal British white family we would have been treated equally, I guess."

Ms Islam said her MP, Clive Efford, had given support but that the government had not helped and that other "higher up people" had been "useless".

"They've not said nothing," she said.

"Priti Patel has done a tweet on Friday and I was not happy about it because all of a sudden she's using my sister's name for publicity reasons. And to be honest she has no right."

The home secretary called Ms Nessa's killer an "evil monster" in the post, and that she hoped his sentence would bring "small comfort" to her family.

In a follow-up tweet she added that tackling violence against women was "central to my Beating Crime Plan...(to) make our streets safer for everyone".

Selamaj, 36, - who battered his victim 34 times with a metal traffic triangle before strangling her - refused to appear for sentencing.

Ms Nessa's sister said perpetrators should be forced to "come into court and listen".

She told the BBC: "I was frustrated. We were like, 'He is such a coward, not facing up to what he has done'.

"It made me angry because I wanted him to hear our impact statement to show how much hurt he's caused my family."

Ms Nessa, 28, taught at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, and was found near a community centre in the park the day after she was murdered.

The trial judge said she was the "wholly blameless victim of an absolutely appalling murder which was entirely the fault of the defendant".

It is thought she walked through the park because she was running late to meet a friend.

Speaking last week about her sister's murder, Ms Islam said it had "broken us deeply".

"How does a parent accept the fact that their daughter at the age of 28 is no more? How do you accept that? Because you can't and it's just a bad dream and you just wish that it wasn't true."

SKY
 
Police have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of a woman in Burnley, Lancashire.

Katie Kenyon, 33, was reported missing after being last seen on Friday.

Police said a woman matching Ms Kenyon's description left an address on Todmorden Road with a man on Friday morning and travelled in a silver Ford Transit, registration MT57 FLC, to the Bolton by Bowland area of north Lancashire.

Ms Kenyon has not been heard from since.

Police said a 50-year-old man, from Burnley, was arrested in connection with their investigation and is helping them with inquiries.

'It is now a waiting game'

Ms Kenyon's distraught family said they were very concerned for her wellbeing.

Her sister, Sarah Kenyon, wrote on Facebook: "It is now a waiting game, we have done everything we can, searched everywhere, contacted everyone."

Detective Chief Inspector Al Davies, of Lancashire Police's force major investigation team, said: "Katie's disappearance is out of character and her family are understandably very worried.

"We are doing all we can to try and find her and I would appeal to anyone who has any information, however insignificant you may think it is, to come forward and contact us.

"I would especially like to hear from anyone who was in Bolton by Bowland or the surrounding area and saw anything suspicious to get in touch.

"Did you see a woman matching Katie's description, either alone or with a man?

"Did you see the silver transit van or might you have dashcam footage which shows it."

Police 'keeping an open mind'

He added: "While we have arrested someone in connection with our investigation, I am very much keeping an open mind as to what has happened and I have a team of officers and staff working hard to try and find Katie and return her to her family.

"You could help with that so please do come forward and speak to us as your information could prove crucial."

SKY
 
A man has been charged with murdering Katie Kenyon who has been missing since last Friday.

Lancashire Police have confirmed 50-year-old Andrew Burfield, from Burnley, has now been charged and will appear at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The 33-year-old mother-of-two, from Padiham in Burnley, was reported missing after she was last seen at around 9.30am on Friday.

A woman matching Ms Kenyon's description left an address in the town of Burnley that morning, travelling about 17 miles in a silver Ford Transit van to the Bolton-by-Bowland area of north Lancashire.

More than 60 specialist search officers from four police forces have been scouring Gisburn Forest in Lancashire's Ribble Valley looking for Ms Kenyon.

The hunt involves police and fire service officers, dog teams, mounted police, mountain rescue volunteers and drones.

On Tuesday, investigators said they believe Ms Kenyon is dead.

Her family say her disappearance is out of character.

As the search continues, her sister, Sarah Kenyon, wrote on Facebook: "It is now a waiting game, we have done everything we can, searched everywhere, contacted everyone."

As the charge was announced Lancashire police said: "Katie's family have been made aware and continue to be supported by specially trained officers. They pass on their thanks for all the well-wishing messages but have asked people respect their privacy at this time."

https://news.sky.com/story/katie-ke...-of-missing-33-year-old-from-burnley-12600231
 
The Metropolitan Police is seeking another appeal against a High Court ruling, which found the force breached the rights of organisers at a vigil held for Sarah Everard last year.

The bid marks the forces' second attempt to overturn the ruling after judges refused to give it permission to appeal its decision earlier this month.

Scotland Yard said it is trying to challenge the case as it believes there are "important points of principle around the role of police advising organisers ahead of a proposed event".

Taking place while COVID restrictions were in place, campaign group Reclaim These Streets (RTS) proposed a socially distanced vigil for 33-year-old Sarah Everard, who was murdered by former Met officer Wayne Couzens.

However, organisers cancelled the event after being told by the force they would face £10,000 fines and possible prosecution if it went ahead.

Despite that, a spontaneous vigil and protest took place in Clapham, south London, anyway.

The group has criticised the Met Police for "spending more taxpayer money" to continue its fight.

SKY
 
Wow the police in this country are a disgrace.

The London Met worst of all.

GMP [Greater Manchester] a close second.
 
Former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens is one of five murderers set to have their prison sentence reviewed by senior judges in the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday.

Couzens, who murdered Sarah Everard in March 2021, and Ian Stewart, who murdered his wife in 2010 and fiancee in 2016, will have their whole life terms reviewed after they appealed their sentences.

A whole life term is handed down in the most serious cases when a judge believes a person should never be considered for release.

Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes, who were jailed for 29 and 21 years respectively in December 2021 for the murder of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, will also have their sentences reviewed after they appealed their jail terms.

However, the Attorney General Suella Braverman has also made an application for their sentences to be reconsidered in case they were "unduly lenient".

Ms Braverman has also made an application for the sentence of Jordan Monaghan, who was jailed for a minimum of 40 years for murdering his partner and two young children, to be reconsidered to see if it is unduly lenient.

Five senior judges are set to review the sentences at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday.

Couzens was handed a whole life order in September for the murder of 33-year-old marketing executive Ms Everard.

The Metropolitan Police firearms officer used his warrant card and handcuffs to kidnap her as she walked home, using COVID-19 lockdown rules as the premise for a false arrest in south London.

Stewart murdered his wife Diane Stewart in 2010 before murdering his fiancee Helen Bailey six years later.

The double murderer denied killing Mrs Stewart who died at their family home in Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, on 25 June 2010.

The 47-year-old's cause of death was recorded at the time as Sudden Death in Epilepsy (Sudep).

Police reopened the case after Stewart was convicted of the murder of his fiancee, children's book author Helen Bailey, whose body was found in the cesspit of the £1.5m home they shared in Royston in Hertfordshire in 2016.

Tustin and Hughes were each jailed after Arthur, who was Hughes' son, was poisoned, starved and beaten to death in a prolonged campaign of "evil abuse" in Solihull, West Midlands.

Monaghan, 30, obstructed the airways of daughter Ruby, aged 24 days, and Logan, 21 months, in January and August 2013.

Both murders took place in Blackburn, Lancashire.

Six years later, the gambling addict killed his new girlfriend, Evie Adams, 23, with a drug overdose.

SKY
 
The killer of Sarah Everard is challenging a sentencing order that said he should not be released from prison until he dies.

Wayne Couzens' appeal is part of a major review by the Court of Appeal of whole-life orders, including arguments for their wider use.

His lawyer said his remorse and guilty plea should be taken into account.

Lawyers for the Attorney General are also trying to increase sentences in two murder cases.

The lawyer for Couzens, Jim Sturman QC, said the former Metropolitan Police officer accepted his crimes were "abhorrent" and nothing in his arguments was intended to minimise the impact on his victim's friends and family, some of whom were present at the hearing.

But he said the sentencing judge's finding that he was not remorseful was "untenable".

"He was too ashamed to meet anyone's eye. He was not brazen, staring down at the court in the way sometimes seen," the lawyer said.

Mr Sturman said it was accepted that Couzens deserved "decades in jail" but his remorse and guilty plea should balance out the aggravating factor of having carried out the kidnap, rape and murder while he was a serving police officer.

There are 64 people currently in prison in England and Wales under whole-life orders, which are reserved for exceptional cases and mean they will never be released.

Couzens was the first person to be given such a term for a single murder of an adult not committed as part of a terror attack.

Mr Sturman said in written submissions:
"Whilst this may well be considered by the public and the court to be a case of equal seriousness to a political, religious or ideological murder, it is not such an offence, not does it fall into any other category listed in the schedule."

Representing the Attorney General, Tom Little QC said Couzens' offending was of the "utmost seriousness" and his criminality was a "fundamental attack in reality on our democratic way of life".

He said the sentencing judge was entitled to the view that there was a "lack of general contrition" and a whole-life order was right in this "wholly exceptional case".

Couzens, who appeared at the hearing by video-link from prison, is one of two with whole-life terms involved in the Court of Appeal review, along with Ian Stewart, convicted of murdering his wife and later his fiancee.

Full story at —
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61317609
 
A teenage girl in Bristol who has been missing since April is now believed to have been abducted, according to police.

Maddie Thomas, 15, disappeared in the Southmead area on 26 April.

Avon and Somerset Police said they are "no longer investigating Maddie's disappearance as a missing person case but as a child abduction".

Officers believe she is likely to be with a man, with Detective Inspector Laura Miller adding that when she has "previously gone missing she has been found in the company of adult men".

"It is mainly due to this history that we believe she is likely to currently be with someone," DI Miller said.

"Maddie is a child in foster care, no one has permission to keep her from her carers. She is vulnerable and at risk of being taken advantage of.

"We're really concerned about her safety and have a dedicated team working extremely hard to locate her."

DI Miller added: "No one has seen or heard from Maddie for 15 days - since she saw a relative on 26 April when she said she was going to the shop.

"The circumstances of her disappearance are deeply worrying for us; her family and her carers.

"We have a number of lines of enquiry and while we've had a great deal of help from the public to date, for which we're incredibly grateful, we still need more."

https://news.sky.com/story/missing-...-been-abducted-in-bristol-police-say-12610714
 
Woman, 21, stabbed to death in alleyway in South Ealing is named as Ania Jedrkowiak

A 21-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in an alleyway near a school in London has been named.

Police have identified her as Ania Jedrkowiak, who was from Poland.

She was found with stab wounds in an alleyway in South Ealing, west London, shortly after midnight on Tuesday and died at the scene.

Officers said they are speaking with Ms Jedrkowiak's family and they are being supported by specialist officers.

A 20-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released with no further action.

A 29-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday and remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, said officers believed the second arrest "is a very significant one in this investigation. The victim and suspect were known to each other.

"We are examining CCTV and speaking to any witnesses who have come forward... In particular we would urge anyone who lives or was travelling in the area of South Ealing Road, between 11.15pm on Monday, 16 May and 1am the next day, or anyone who has CCTV or a doorbell camera, or a dash cam, to check it for anything that appears out of the ordinary."

A cordon has been set up near the Rose and Crown pub in the area, as well as near Grange School, Grange Nursery and Grange Pre-School.

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, who is in charge of policing for west London, including Ealing, said: "This is a tragic incident that I know has come as a shock to the local community."

He added: "I am particularly mindful of the proximity of this incident to a local school - something which meant the school had to remain closed on Tuesday.

"I know parents will be apprehensive and I'd like to reassure them that we are working with the school to make sure children can continue their learning with minimal disruption."

https://news.sky.com/story/woman-21...h-ealing-is-named-as-ania-jedrkowiak-12615702
 
Sidilicious said:
Sad that women feel so unsafe. I am guessing you are based out of London. I felt areas in London are the worst, but have never really lived outside of the M25.

It was not until I moved to Germany, that I realised that this was not normal. Here in Germany, women can come back at whatever time and there is absoloutely no danger.
Click to expand...

Always seems to me that the larger the city, and the more disparity in income, then you get more crime. In smaller locales outside of the big metropolises you tend to get friendlier conditions. There is more of a community feel, but in huge sprawling inner city areas like London or Birmingham, I'm guessing there will be plenty of poverty, and with such large populations, it's almost faceless. This makes crime a lot more appealing.
 
I don’t think that it is even just women anymore. Women are more unsafe, but I think everyone could be unsafe in some way.

In Leeds 15 years ago when I was a student I was a 5’9, slightly built young man and weighed about 70kg, not much good in a scrap at all and had no real life experience or any knowledge of conflict; but nevertheless I did not own a car or have much money spare so I used to walk from A to B around the city centre, the suburbs, and some reputed rough spots often in the dead of night, regularly listening to music so not even fully aware of my surroundings in a sensory way, and yet I felt entirely safe.

I would not dream of doing anything like that in Leeds or in any urban environment now, and I’m much larger and stronger than I used to be as well.

I think what has changed is that quite a lot of people in cities nowadays fear for their safety and so could be carrying weapons, or at the very least are on edge and are ready to crack if pushed — particularly younger men from the more recent generations who are often coming from broken homes and since then have been completely left behind by society, which leads to a feeling in them of desperation.

Nowadays if I need to get somewhere and I don’t have the car then I just pay (often through the nose) for a taxi ride.
 
The best friend of a woman apparently murdered by a stranger has revealed their final text messages to each other.

Zara Aleena, 35, a law graduate, was found with serious head injuries in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of Sunday morning and later died in hospital.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police have described it as an "opportunist stranger attack".

Ms Aleena's friend Lisa said they were meant to meet over the weekend but had to rearrange.

A screenshot of their final text messages shows a photo of a sunset sent by Lisa.

Ms Aleena replied that it was "beautiful", adding: "Miss your beautiful face this weekend xx can't wait to see you next weekend xxx."

The pair had been best friends for 17 years and "spent most weekends together", Lisa said, describing herself as "completely broken".

"I am shocked, I am angry, I feel sick to my stomach," she posted.

"We were meant to be together this weekend but I had to cancel and arranged to meet next weekend.

"I wish I had met her this weekend. She got f***ing murdered walking home!"

Lisa continued: "I will never see her again. I will never hear her voice again. We always spoke every day. I will never get over this, ever."

Referring to the attacker, Lisa wrote: "I want to look him in the eye and ask: why? May he get tortured in prison!"

She went on: "When will our streets be safe? Something needs to be done!"

Ms Aleena was reportedly working as an administrative officer at the Royal Courts of Justice.

In her profile on LinkedIn, she wrote: "My excellent interpersonal skills mean that I like people and they like me. I have strong organisational skills."

She was "just a kind soul, the sweetest girl, she could never harm a fly", her friend Sophie told the BBC.

Another friend, Nadia, told The Times she was a "very gentle soul" and "very helpful to everyone and her neighbours".

Lisa finished her post by writing: "Now you rest in peace, beautiful angel."

https://news.sky.com/story/zara-ale...ext-messages-revealed-by-best-friend-12641728
 
Hundreds of people are tracing the steps Zara Aleena took the night she was killed while returning home from a night out.

Ms Aleena, 35, was attacked in Ilford, east London, at 2.17am last Sunday.

A vigil in her memory began this afternoon at 2.17pm, with roads being closed to allow those taking part to walk the 10-minute journey from the scene of the attack to her house.

Family members organised the vigil to "walk her home".

Most of those attending are wearing white clothing, with mourners leaving flowers and cards in tribute to Ms Aleena.

Farah Naz, Ms Aleena's aunt, stopped yards from the family's home and told the crowd: "She was on the home stretch, thank you so much for doing the walk and holding her in your hearts, praying for her, keeping her safe on this journey.

"At this point now we ask you to go home and thank you so much for being here today because this is our Zara, this is our issue, this something that we must all change, it must never happen again. Thank you for being here."

SKY
 
James said:
I don’t think that it is even just women anymore. Women are more unsafe, but I think everyone could be unsafe in some way.

In Leeds 15 years ago when I was a student I was a 5’9, slightly built young man and weighed about 70kg, not much good in a scrap at all and had no real life experience or any knowledge of conflict; but nevertheless I did not own a car or have much money spare so I used to walk from A to B around the city centre, the suburbs, and some reputed rough spots often in the dead of night, regularly listening to music so not even fully aware of my surroundings in a sensory way, and yet I felt entirely safe.

I would not dream of doing anything like that in Leeds or in any urban environment now, and I’m much larger and stronger than I used to be as well.

I think what has changed is that quite a lot of people in cities nowadays fear for their safety and so could be carrying weapons, or at the very least are on edge and are ready to crack if pushed — particularly younger men from the more recent generations who are often coming from broken homes and since then have been completely left behind by society, which leads to a feeling in them of desperation.

Nowadays if I need to get somewhere and I don’t have the car then I just pay (often through the nose) for a taxi ride.
Click to expand...

Fortunately I am 6’2” so it’s just a question of keeping my back straight and head up so I look like I know what I am about.

Back in my uni days I offered to walk a girl I had been chatting to home at 2 a.m. She replied that she had better check with her boyfriend first. He forbad her. Told her to go home by herself.

Now the Yorkshire Ripper had been caught by this point but a lot of women were nervous of walking at night.

This chap would have preferred his GF to walk home alone than be escorted by a man he didn’t know. Or, you know, to actually leave early and cut into his drinking time to safeguard her himself.
 
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Another incident - Woman, 27, stabbed in the back by cyclist in east London, near to where Zara Aleena was killed.
 
A serving police officer has been charged with rape.

James Andrew Darnton, 51, faces the charge in relation to an incident involving a woman in 2009.

He is a temporary detective inspector within the public protection governance unit at Greater Manchester Police.

A report of the incident was received in October 2021.

Darnton will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 10 July 2023.

He has been suspended, and professional proceedings will recommence following the court hearings.

SKY
 
Two women were sexually assaulted in the queue to see the Queen's lying in state, a court has heard.

Adio Adeshine, 19, allegedly exposed himself and pushed into the mourners from behind as they waited in line at Victoria Tower Gardens in Westminster, central London, on Wednesday evening.

He is said to have gone into the River Thames in an attempt to evade police officers, before coming out and being arrested.

Adeshine was remanded in custody on Friday after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard the first complainant allegedly noticed Adeshine because she had not previously seen him, despite having waited in the queue with the same people for hours.

She is said to have noticed him getting closer to her before feeling something touching her back, then turned to see he had exposed himself.

The woman later allegedly saw Adeshine acting in a similar way towards another woman, before security were alerted and police called.

He is said to have thrown his phone into the Thames before entering the water himself, but was arrested shortly after coming out of the river.

Outlining the allegations, prosecutor Alex Adowale said: "The defendant was part of the queue to see the resting in state of Queen Elizabeth II."

His alleged victims are said to have been among the thousands of people who have been lining the banks of the Thames to view the Queen's coffin.

SKY
 
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A sexual predator branded a "danger to any woman" has been jailed for at least 38 years for murdering Zara Aleena as she walked home from a night out.

Jordan McSweeney, 29, admitted killing and sexually assaulting the 35-year-old law graduate in Ilford, east London, in a late-night attack in June.

She was savagely kicked and stamped on by McSweeney, who had followed a number of other women that night.

His refusal to be in the dock showed "no spine whatsoever", the judge said.

In a televised sentencing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told the Old Bailey that McSweeney - who would not come up from the court's cells - had carried out the attack with "sickening deliberation".

Giving him a mandatory life sentence, the judge said she did not believe McSweeney's actions on the night of the killing were an "aberration". She described him as a "pugnacious and deeply violent man".

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said of the attack: "It was a steep and sudden escalation of violence that had simmered in his life for many years."

McSweeney was also given a four-year term for sexual assault, a sentence that will run concurrently.

The defendant, from Dagenham in east London, had only recently been released from prison when he carried out the attack.

He had 28 convictions for 69 crimes, dating back to 2006, ranging from burglary to assaulting the police and including racially motivated offences.

In 2010, when he was a teenager, McSweeney was convicted over an attack on a young woman he had left with a swollen eye. Eleven years later, he was made the subject of a restraining order that barred him from contacting another female victim.

The Old Bailey heard how Ms Aleena was discovered by a couple on a driveway on Cranbrook Road in the aftermath of the 26 June assault, which began at about 02:15 BST. She was partially naked and struggling to breathe, having sustained 46 separate injuries in the nine-minute beating.

The 35-year-old received medical treatment for more than an hour on the street before she was taken to the Royal London Hospital. She died later the same morning.

Prior to the killing, McSweeney had been caught on CCTV drunkenly lurching in the street after being ejected from a pub for pestering a female member of staff.

He went on to follow three women and confronted a fourth before he targeted Ms Aleena.

Speaking outside the Old Bailey, Ms Aleena's aunt Farah Naz said McSweeney's sentence would protect the public from a man who "cannot and must not live freely in the world".

She added that his "extreme indifference" to her niece's life and the law made him a "very dangerous man".

Ms Naz said: "Today, like every day, we live with the horror that she faced.

"We are deeply touched by the kindness we have felt from so many and this is testament to the power of Zara's spirit."

"Zara was the light in our family," says aunt Farah Naz

The Old Bailey was shown CCTV footage of the attack - McSweeney's reason for not appearing in court was that he did not "want to relive" what happened that night, his defence barrister George Carter-Stephenson KC said.

Ms Aleena's family left the courtroom while footage of her final moments was shown.

The Old Bailey heard how after the fatal assault, McSweeney took away some of Ms Aleena's clothes, keys, phone and purse - possessions he later discarded.

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow KC said McSweeney had "treated Zara Aleena's belongings with the same appalling distain with which he had treated her life", casting them away like "any other insignificant piece of rubbish".

After the sentencing hearing, Det Ch Insp Dave Whellams described McSweeney as "not a sophisticated criminal".

The detective, who led the murder investigation, said: "This was a ferocious and repetitive attack that shocked even experienced murder detectives.

"He attacked Zara out in the open on a residential street and, other than a clumsy effort to hide a bag containing his belongings, he did not try to cover his tracks."

BBC
 
A Metropolitan Police armed officer who used his role to put fear into his victims has admitted dozens of rape and sexual offences against 12 women.

David Carrick, 48, who met some victims through dating websites, pleaded guilty to 49 offences, across two decades.

The Met has apologised after it emerged he had come to the attention of police over nine incidents, including rape allegations, between 2000 and 2021.

A senior officer said his offending was "unprecedented in policing".

Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray, the Met's lead for professionalism, said: "We should have spotted his pattern of abusive behaviour and because we didn't, we missed opportunities to remove him from the organisation.

"We are truly sorry that being able to continue to use his role as a police officer may have prolonged the suffering of his victims.

"We know they felt unable to come forward sooner because he told them they would not be believed."

Carrick, who admitted 24 counts of rape, was suspended from duty when he was arrested in October 2021.

BBC
 
The abuse of power shown by rapist PC David Carrick is "absolutely despicable" and urgent action must be taken, the prime minister has told the head of the Met Police.

Rishi Sunak said he'd had "constructive" talks with Sir Mark Rowley and "made clear to him - and he agrees - that the abuse of power that we've seen this week is absolutely despicable and it needs to be addressed immediately".

SKY
 
Failings by probation officers left a sexual predator able to stalk and kill law graduate Zara Aleena - just days after he was released from jail, according to a watchdog.

A damning report found a catalogue of errors in the Probation Service's handling of Jordan McSweeney, which meant he was not treated as a high-risk offender and was "free" to commit this "most heinous crime".

Last month, the 29-year-old was sentenced to a minimum of 38 years for sexually assaulting and murdering the 35-year-old aspiring lawyer in Ilford, east London, on 26 June last year.

SKY
 
MenInG said:
The abuse of power shown by rapist PC David Carrick is "absolutely despicable" and urgent action must be taken, the prime minister has told the head of the Met Police.

Rishi Sunak said he'd had "constructive" talks with Sir Mark Rowley and "made clear to him - and he agrees - that the abuse of power that we've seen this week is absolutely despicable and it needs to be addressed immediately".

SKY
Click to expand...

I think the Met should be broken up into the four Boroughs. It’s too big, bigger than the next six biggest UK forces combined.
 
The search for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley will have "quickly escalated into a high-risk missing persons investigation", a former senior detective has told Sky News.

Howard Millington, who worked on many missing persons cases during a 30-year career with Greater Manchester Police, said Ms Bulley "seems to have disappeared into thin air".

The former detective superintendent described the case as "very unusual" and "very concerning", adding: "It will have been quickly escalated, I've no doubt.

"Lancashire Police have spared no expense in resourcing this properly."

There will be different strands to the investigation, which will be "structured, detailed, and scientific", Mr Millington said.

There will be also be several "working hypotheses", while a police search adviser will have been called in.

Ms Bulley, a 45-year-old mortgage adviser from Inskip, was last seen on Friday 27 January at about 9.15am on a footpath by the River Wyre in the village of St Michael's on Wyre.

Her mobile phone, which was still connected to a conference call when it was discovered, will be a "key part of the investigative strategy", Mr Millington said.

Forensics officers will have dusted it for fingerprints and trace evidence.

Ms Bulley's call data will also be examined. Anyone in touch with her recently will be contacted to see if they can "offer any information".

Her friends and associates will be interviewed to get an impression of her state of mind.

SKY
 
Police say they believe Nicola Bulley "sadly" fell into a river as they focus on a 10-minute window from 9.10am to 9.20am when the dog walker went missing last Friday.

Officers said she has not been found despite an extensive search of the area, along the River Wyre and 15km to the sea.
 
I have watched as well as followed the events no other plausible explanation.

Hope they find her soon as her poor family have suffered.
 
Police searching for Nicola Bulley have found a "key" witness who they believe was in the area on the morning of the mother-of-two's disappearance.

The witness is a woman who was seen pushing a pram on Friday 27 January, when Ms Bulley went missing.

The woman was spotted on CCTV walking in the Lancashire village of St Michael's on Wyre at around 8.22am.

She was again seen walking just under 20 minutes later at 8.41am.

Officers believe Ms Bulley, 45, fell into the River Wyre while she was walking her dog.

However her family and friends have claimed there is "no evidence whatsoever" behind the police's theory.

In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "Earlier this evening as part of our search for Nicola Bulley, we put out an appeal to find a witness in St Michael's on Wyre.

"We are pleased to say that the woman came forward very quickly and we must stress that she was very much being treated as a witness and was one of many people in St Michael's on Friday, January 27th."

The force added: "Our enquiries to find Nicola are extensive and will include speaking to as many members of the public as possible.

"The speculation and abuse on social media aimed at some people who are merely assisting our enquiry is totally unacceptable.

"We would urge people to remember that we are investigating the disappearance of Nicola, and the priority is Nicola and her family. We want to find her and provide answers to her family."

SKY
 
MenInG said:
Police searching for Nicola Bulley have found a "key" witness who they believe was in the area on the morning of the mother-of-two's disappearance.

The witness is a woman who was seen pushing a pram on Friday 27 January, when Ms Bulley went missing.

The woman was spotted on CCTV walking in the Lancashire village of St Michael's on Wyre at around 8.22am.

She was again seen walking just under 20 minutes later at 8.41am.

Officers believe Ms Bulley, 45, fell into the River Wyre while she was walking her dog.

However her family and friends have claimed there is "no evidence whatsoever" behind the police's theory.

In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "Earlier this evening as part of our search for Nicola Bulley, we put out an appeal to find a witness in St Michael's on Wyre.

"We are pleased to say that the woman came forward very quickly and we must stress that she was very much being treated as a witness and was one of many people in St Michael's on Friday, January 27th."

The force added: "Our enquiries to find Nicola are extensive and will include speaking to as many members of the public as possible.

"The speculation and abuse on social media aimed at some people who are merely assisting our enquiry is totally unacceptable.

"We would urge people to remember that we are investigating the disappearance of Nicola, and the priority is Nicola and her family. We want to find her and provide answers to her family."

SKY
Click to expand...

I have been following this story.

There is something really fishy about how police handled this. It feels like there is a coverup. Let's see how it pans out.
 
An independent underwater rescue team joining police looking for Nicola Bulley will be using a high-spec sonar "which can see every stick and stone lying on the riverbed".

The mother-of-two went missing in Lancashire on the morning of Friday 27 January while walking her dog, and officers' "main working hypothesis" is that the 45-year-old fell into the River Wyre near St Michael's on Wyre village.

SKY
 
Nicola Bulley: Nothing making sense in missing mum case, friend says

A friend of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley has said nothing about her disappearance was "making sense".

Ms Bulley, 45, was last seen walking her dog by the river in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire 11 days ago.

Heather Gibbons said Ms Bulley's family were "appreciative of all the police have done" but no-one would know what happened "until we have some evidence".

Earlier, a search expert said he had not seen a more unusual case in his 20-year career.

Peter Faulding, who has led a team of underwater experts searching the River Wyre, said another stretch near where she went missing would be investigated.

Ms Bulley's partner Paul Ansell issued a fresh appeal on Monday, saying her daughters missed her desperately.

Speaking on the riverbank, Ms Gibbons said speculation on social media about the disappearance had been "hard" for the family to deal with and the number of visitors arriving in the area had made it feel like a "tourist spot".

"Up to a certain level, we understand it's human nature, it's natural for everyone to have speculation, because the truth is in this, nothing is making sense," she said.

She added that while the "turnout for the search" had been "amazing... we have noticed it does feel like some people have come to maybe use it as more like a tourist spot".

"The truth is if we look at it factually, no-one knows [what has happened] until we have some evidence," she said.

"I know that the family are massively appreciative of all the police have done [and] we feel we have got the best of the best on that water.

"Hopefully it will be a completion, one way or the other, and if they find nothing, then maybe it's time to start looking down other avenues."

A team of divers from a private firm, headed up by Mr Faulding, searched "three or four miles" of river until it got dark on Monday.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast earlier, Mr Faulding said the case was "so unusual".

"I would expect to find Nicola in the water right in front of the bench where she went down," he said.

"This is so strange.

"In my 20-odd years of doing this, I have worked on hundreds of cases [and] I have never seen anything so unusual."

He later told BBC Radio 5 Live that "even the police are confused".

"The police divers would have found her that day if she had fallen in at that point," he said.

Lancashire Police officers investigating the disappearance have now focused their efforts on a river path.

The force said sightings showed Ms Bulley had moved from the school, where she dropped her two daughters off, along the river path and into the field and it urged drivers or cyclists on Garstang Road to get in touch.

Ms Bulley had dropped her two daughters, aged six and nine, off at school and then gone on her usual dog walk alongside the river before she disappeared.

Her phone, still connected to a Teams call for her job as a mortgage adviser, was found on a bench on a steep riverbank overlooking the water, along with the dog lead and harness on the ground.

In a statement released by the force on Monday, Mr Ansell said he had "two little girls who miss their mummy desperately and who need her back".

"This has been such a tough time for the girls especially, but also for me and all of Nicola's family and friends, as well as the wider community and I want to thank them for their love and support," he added.

Lancashire Police believe Ms Bulley may have fallen into the River Wyre, but have said they "remain open minded" and were continuing to carry out a "huge number" of inquiries.

On Monday, a force representative said they could "say with confidence" that Ms Bulley had not left the field during the key times "via Rowanwater, either through the site itself or via the piece of land at the side" and did not return from the fields along Allotment Lane or via the path at the rear of the Grapes pub on to Garstang Road.

"Our inquiries now focus on the river path which leads from the fields back to Garstang Road," they said.

They added that officers had also "spoken to numerous witnesses, analysed Nicola's mobile phone and Fitbit and searched the derelict house on the other side of the river as well as any empty caravans in the vicinity".

BBC
 
The search for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley has been moved to the coastline nearly two weeks after her disappearance.

Two boats with specialist police teams have been searching in the sea at Morecambe Bay, before heading upstream on either side of the River Wyre.
 
Messages of hope for the safe return of Nicola Bulley have been written on yellow ribbons and tied to the footbridge in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, as the search for her enters its third week.

The ribbons were attached to the bridge over the River Wyre on Saturday night.

SKY
 
Nicola Bulley's family says the missing mother-of-two suffered a "crisis" after she stopped taking menopause drugs - as her loved ones revealed details about her struggles before she vanished.

Relatives also asked the public to end the "appalling" levels of speculation and "rumours" about her private life, as they spoke about the "significant" side effects she faced from the perimenopause.

The family said Ms Bulley suffered from brain fog and restless sleep and stopped taking hormone replacement drugs (HRT), commonly used to treat symptoms of the menopause, as it gave her "intense headaches".

In a statement, they said: "Due to the perimenopause Nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking HRT to help but this was giving her intense headaches which caused Nikki to stop taking the HRT thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis."

Lancashire Police have referred themselves to police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), regarding contact the force had with Ms Bulley prior to her disappearance.

Amid ongoing questions surrounding the force's handling of the case, a source close to the home secretary said Suella Braverman "was concerned" by the disclosure of Ms Bulley's personal information by the police and "asked the force for an explanation".

It comes a day after the force revealed that Ms Bulley had suffered with some "significant issues with alcohol" in the past, brought on by her "ongoing struggles with the menopause".

The 45-year-old has been missing since 27 January after vanishing when she took her dog for a walk by the River Wyre in Lancashire.

SKY
 
Police have confirmed a body has been found in the River Wyre in Lancashire.

Officers said today, Sunday, February 19, there has been police activity around the river near to St Michaels. Police were called today at 11.36am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road.

An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body. No formal identification has yet been carried out.

A spokesperson for the force said: "We are unable to say whether this is Nicola Bulley at this time. Procedures to identify the body are on-going. We are currently treating the death as unexplained.

"Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected."
 
Nicola Bulley's partner has spoken of his family's pain after a body was found in the river near where she disappeared three weeks ago.

Paul Ansell wrote that he had "no words right now, just agony", in a statement he shared with Sky News.

Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her dog in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire, sparking a major search.

On Sunday, Lancashire Police said they "sadly recovered a body" from the water after being called to the River Wyre.

A statement said formal identification had not yet been carried out "so we are unable to say" if it was her at the time.

The death is currently being treated as "unexplained" and officers have begun the process of identifying the body.

But Lancashire Police also said Ms Bulley's family "have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times".

In the statement to Sky, Mr Ansell added: "We're all together, we have to be strong."

BBC
 
Sad news.

==

A body found in the River Wyre has been formally identified as missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, police have said.

The 45-year-old was last seen on Friday 27 January while walking on a footpath by the river in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.

On Sunday, police recovered a body from the river, near to where Ms Bulley went missing, following an intensive three-week search operation.

Lancashire Police have now confirmed that the body is that of Ms Bulley.

SKY
 
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Police have returned to the scene where the body of Nicola Bulley was found.

Divers are back in the River Wyre where the mum of two's body was spotted by two dog walkers on 19 February, following a huge police investigation.

Lancashire Police confirmed that they were carrying out some work at the direction of the coroner.

The mortgage adviser disappeared after taking her dog Willow for a walk on the morning of 27 January.

The springer spaniel was found shortly after, along with Ms Bulley's mobile phone, which was discovered on a bench beside a steep riverbank.

The phone was still connected to a work conference call.

Her body was eventually found more than three weeks later.

SKY
 
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