7+ min ago (588+ words) A South London teacher found to have been hugging and messaging his pupils on social media while working in Vietnam has not been struck off from the profession. Andrew Hardwick, formerly a supply teacher at Belvedere Junior School in Bexley, admitted the allegations made against him but did not think his actions constituted unacceptable professional conduct. Mr Hardwick was subject to a teacher misconduct panel in October after his former employer the Pioneer Academy'which is based in Keston in Bromley'referred him to the Teaching Regulation Agency. Mr Hardwick began working as a supply teacher in various schools within the academy in December 2020. In May 2021, he applied for a permanent position at Belvedere and disclosed he had undertaken tutoring outside of working hours and had social media contact with pupils outside of tutoring time while previously working at the International School…...

21+ min ago (928+ words) You can really drive yourself crazy thinking about the future and it's really painful to go there," Stella told PA Real Life. The way we've dealt with this is to shower Penelope in love and take each day as it comes. We're in survival mode, it's just one foot in front of the other. I try not to think about what she'll be like when she's 18, when she's 30no one really knows, and it's a bit too heart-wrenching for me to go there." Stella described her daughter as a very sweet little girl". She's very happy, she's very giggly," Stella said. She's a real foodie, she loves music, she loves being sung to, she loves being read to." Stella said she knew something was wrong" with Penelope's health even before she was born, as she was coming up quite small" on…...

21+ min ago (409+ words) More than 200 council homes could be built at Battersea Power Station to boost affordable housing in the next phase of its "9billion regeneration. Wandsworth Council and Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC) have announced a new partnership to build 203 homes on an undeveloped plot of land as part of the redevelopment of the 42-acre site. In a turning point for the regeneration, the council and BPSDC have now confirmed they are working together to build 203 affordable homes in the next stage of the redevelopment. These council homes would come in addition to the level of affordable housing already agreed by the developer, taking this to 15 per cent, if they win planning approval. Labour Council Leader Simon Hogg said: "We're determined to deliver the genuinely affordable homes that Wandsworth people need, and this strong partnership gives us a real opportunity to do…...

42+ min ago (523+ words) A West London council employee secretly working a second job for the Government resigned after apparently catching wind of a fraud investigation into their deceit. A Hammersmith and Fulham Council fraud report revealed that the individual, who has not been identified, was investigated after being linked to a job at the Ministry of Justice, Prison and Probation Service. Before this could be concluded the employee resigned, "returned all LBHF equipment, and suggested awareness of our investigation", the report notes. The case is one of several detailed in the council's latest Corporate Anti-Fraud Service (CAFS) Half-Year Progress Report, covering the period between April 1 and September 30, 2025. The CAFS tackles not just fraud but also bribery and corruption against Hammersmith and Fulham Council. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has covered previous findings by the service, from an employee caught doing private work…...

2+ hour, 11+ min ago (638+ words) Ntsele allegedly also had "improvised battery-powered" electric-ignition muzzle-loading" guns, including one that had four barrels, one double-barrelled, and two that were single-barrelled. The jury was told police unearthed the stash in his home after he had a fight with his twin brother on October 27 last year, when he was 17. School records showed he threatened violence against pupils he disliked, Mr Atkinson said. Mr Atkinson told jurors they will likely have to decide "not whether the defendant made a series of viable firearms and explosive devices, but why". He added: "As presently understood, his case is that he was driven by his undoubted autistic condition to make these items for the fun of it. The prosecution case is that his motives were a good deal more sinister and that he made these items with intent that they be used as what…...

2+ hour, 27+ min ago (203+ words) The Co-op is to open 11 stores this week as part of the retailer's investment in more than 200 new and transformed stores over 2024/25. The 11 are among the 50 stores Co-op has confirmed will open in time for Christmas. The shops are a mix of new locations, franchise-operated stores and those that are re-opening following transformative investment. Among the stores opening include Co-op becoming the first permanent retailer at the new Brent Cross Town development - a new park town for London. Also opening are Co-op's latest franchise store opening in Frampton Cotterell (Bristol) and new-look stores re-opening following significant investment from Somerset to Inverness and the Scottish Highlands. Last week Co-op stores opened in Blaenavon, Oxenhope (near Keighley, Yorkshire) and Penkhull (Staffordshire). Co-op stores typically offer a range of parcel collection services, access to cash through free ATM's and online home delivery of…...

2+ hour, 39+ min ago (294+ words) Met Police officers Tasered a man who allegedly fled the scene of a burglary on a London bus. It has been revealed two officers were spat at in the process of the man being detained. The incident happened yesterday (Monday, November 24) when officers were alerted to an attempted burglary on Hornsey Rise, Crouch Hill. But the man they were searching for had fled it before they arrived. A 31-year-old suspect was stopped on a nearby bus after a chase. Police claim he had a knife and was Tasered after refusing to put it down. Two cops were spat at and two assaulted as they tried to apprehend their man. They were all taken to hospital where no injuries were life-threatening or life-changing. The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, grievous bodily harm, theft and assaulting…...

18+ hour, 39+ min ago (178+ words) Motorists suffered major delays on a south London road after a reported collision this evening. The A23 Brixton Road was closed in both directions near the Crown & Anchor pub, between Lorn Road and Robsart Street. Police attended the scene, with traffic queuing in both directions. Bus diversions have been in operation, affecting routes 3, 59, 133, 159 and 415. South London 'crash' saw major road closed in both directions Motorists suffered major delays on a south London road after a reported collision this evening. The A23 Brixton Road was closed in both directions near the Crown & Anchor pub, between Lorn Road and Robsart Street. Police attended the scene, with traffic queuing in both directions. Bus diversions have been in operation, affecting routes 3, 59, 133, 159 and 415. No further updates this evening No further updates are expected this evening Bus diversions are in operation, affecting routes 3, 59, 133, 159 and 415 Police are at the…...

22+ hour, 13+ min ago (290+ words) The Metropolitan Police has named and pictured a "loving grandad" who was killed in South London last week. Michael Burrows, 62, of Lambeth, died after an altercation on Maddock Way, Kennington, at about 1.15pm on Thursday (November 20). At the scene, police found Michael with a head injury. He was taken to hospital where he later died. There have been no arrests and police have now launched a murder investigation. His family described him as a committed family man, who was their rock. The said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear father, our hearts are forever broken. He was our rock. He showed commitment and strength to his family, a truly loving and devoted father and grandfather. "Our dad was a funny, charismatic and loyal gentleman who had a heart of gold and offered his support to everyone. He…...

2+ day, 2+ hour ago (456+ words) Transport for London (TfL) has announced what Londoners can expect in terms of transport available over the Christmas and new year period. The main changes passengers can expect are amendments to London Underground services and road charges. The main Tube and rail disruption will come on Boxing Day. There will be no Night Tube or Night Overground services on Boxing Day. It is also worth noting that TfL will confirm any further changes to the above services nearer the time. On New Year's Eve, TfL services will be running throughout the night. We have compiled everything you need to know about transport across London over the festive season. The only transport Londoners can expect to be able to use on Christmas Day will be taxi and private hire services, Santander Cycles, electric scooter rental trials (in some boroughs), coaches ,and…...