Subject
Metropolitan Police
Barnet Press has published 30 stories involving Metropolitan Police, from February 2026 to July 2026. Each one is scored for how well the original reporting stood up, and lists the reports it was written from.
- World
Reform UK faces probe over donations
Reform UK is under investigation by the Electoral Commission following allegations of rule breaches concerning political donations. Labour has formally requested the inquiry after reports of significant sums being transferred to a politician's mother before she donated to the party.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 30 - World
Palestine Action ban challenge reaches Supreme Court
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori can challenge the group's terror ban at the UK Supreme Court. The decision comes as 77 people were arrested outside Westminster Magistrates' Court for supporting the organisation. All related cases are adjourned until October 26.
3 min readTrust 55 · Craft 50 · Hype 70 
WorldEdgware Road McDonald's late-night bid refused
A McDonald's on Edgware Road has had its application to extend weekday closing times to 2.30am refused by Westminster City Council. Objections were raised by residents and the Met Police, citing concerns over noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 55- World
Met Police Investigate Reform UK Funding
The Metropolitan Police are examining Reform UK's funding sources, specifically investigating whether donors have bypassed restrictions on political donations. The probe follows reports of significant money transfers involving George Cottrell and his mother, Fiona Cottrell.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35 - World
Virgin Atlantic engineer died from brain injury
A Virgin Atlantic aircraft engineer, Georgie Buxton, 23, has died from a traumatic brain injury after being hit in the face at Heathrow Airport. An inquest has been opened and suspended pending a criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Health and Safety Executive.
2 min readTrust 55 · Craft 65 · Hype 15 - World
Officer's Sentence Doubled for False Assault Claim
A former Metropolitan Police officer has had her prison sentence doubled to two years after falsely alleging a sexual assault. Lauren Evans invented the attack to cover being late for work, leading to the arrest of PC Alex Watson.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 70 
WorldCamberwell Road Closed Due to Emergency Incident
Camberwell Road (A215) is closed between Albany Road and Bowyer Place due to an 'emergency services incident'. Ten London bus routes are diverted, and significant traffic congestion is reported in the area.
1 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 65- World
Reform UK Press Conference Amid Police Ruling
Reform UK is holding a press conference with Robert Jenrick to discuss social care reform. This follows the Metropolitan Police's decision not to investigate Green Party leader Zack Polanski over an anti-Nigel Farage social media post, deeming it disproportionate.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35 
WorldTeenager Guilty of UK Contract Killing Plot
Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder at the Old Bailey. He was recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organised crime group with links to Iran, to kill an unknown person. Natland was arrested in Huddersfield with two guns and ammunition.
4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35- World
George Cottrell sent $2m to mother before Reform UK donations
Convicted fraudster George Cottrell transferred over $2m to his mother, Fiona Cottrell, in 2024. Financial industry sources told The Guardian that Fiona attributed these deposits to her son when questioned by bankers. The transfers occurred shortly before she donated £1.5m to Reform UK and its fundraising vehicle. The Metropolitan Police are investigating.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35 - World
Film About Drug Dealers Seized by Police
The 2005 film 'Breakin' the Cycle', about drug dealers aiming to become film producers, had its rough cut seized by the Met police. Directed by imprisoned gang leader Colin Browne, who was later killed, the film featured Bradley McIntosh from S Club 7 and Lethal Bizzle.
2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 70 
WorldGreen Party's Polanski refuses to apologise over guillotine t-shirt post
Green Party politician Zack Polanski has refused multiple requests to apologise for re-posting an image featuring a guillotine t-shirt with the slogan 'we're only making plans for Nigel'. Reform UK reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police, calling it an 'incitement to murder'.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
WorldGreen Party Leader Faces Police Inquiry Over Image
Green Party leader Zack Polanski is under police inquiry after Reform UK reported him for sharing a social media image that included a guillotine graphic. Polanski stated the image was shared inadvertently and he did not pay sufficient attention to its content.
4 min readTrust 70 · Craft 80 · Hype 15
WorldVirgin Atlantic engineer dies after Heathrow accident
A Virgin Atlantic engineer, Georgie Buxton, 23, has died following an accident at Heathrow Airport on 11 June. He sustained serious injuries while working on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The Metropolitan Police and HSE are investigating the incident.
2 min readTrust 62 · Craft 75 · Hype 45- World
Reform UK reports Green Party's Zack Polanski to police
Reform UK has formally reported Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police over a social media post. The report relates to an image of a man wearing a T-shirt with a guillotine and the phrase 'We’re only making plans for Nigel'.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 70 
WorldEnfield Council Approves New Adult Gaming Centre
Enfield Council's licensing sub-committee has approved an application for a new adult gaming centre, Palace Amusements, on Green Lanes. Despite resident concerns and councillors' reservations, the venue was granted permission with specific conditions.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 65
WorldTeenager Arrested After Northolt Stabbing
A 17-year-old boy has been detained by police following a stabbing in Northolt on the evening of July 27. Emergency services, including London's Air Ambulance, responded to the incident where a 20-year-old man was found injured.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
WorldBig Ben Climber Receives Suspended Sentence
A pro-Palestine activist has been handed a suspended prison sentence for climbing Big Ben and causing significant disruption. Daniel Day's 17-hour protest on March 8 last year resulted in substantial costs to the taxpayer and emergency services.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 65
WorldSuzy Lamplugh case haunts detectives
Detectives investigating the disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who vanished in 1986, say the unsolved case continues to trouble them as the investigation is set to be mothballed. Her body has never been found.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
WorldMet Police Appeal 40 Years After Suzy Lamplugh Disappearance
Forty years after estate agent Suzy Lamplugh disappeared, the Metropolitan Police are issuing a final appeal for information. The prime suspect, John Cannan, died in prison last year, but officers hope new leads may emerge to help find her body and bring closure.
4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
WorldPolice Inquire Over Politician's Social Media Post
The Metropolitan police are conducting inquiries into a social media image shared by Green party leader Zack Polanski. Reform UK reported the post, which featured a T-shirt with a guillotine and a slogan, for allegedly inciting murder.
3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 65 · Hype 30
WorldFormer Advisor Admits Expense Fraud
Matthew Torbitt, a former political advisor, has admitted to fraudulent expense claims totalling over £6,000. He pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at Thames Magistrates' Court.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
WorldEdgware Abuse Victim's Claim Acknowledged After 50 Years
A man, identified as 'Jay', has had his claim for compensation for a sexual assault at the former Edmonton Leisure Centre in the 1970s acknowledged by a CICA tribunal. The ruling overturns an initial rejection based on the time elapsed since the incident.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50
WorldFive officers injured in Westminster Bridge boat incident
Five police officers sustained injuries on Friday afternoon when a marine policing boat collided with Westminster Bridge. Several officers were recovered after entering the River Thames following the impact, which was heard as a loud bang by onlookers.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
Property & PlanningAdult Gaming Centre Approved in Bowes Despite Concerns
Enfield Council's licensing sub-committee has approved an application for a new adult gaming centre, 'Palace Amusements', in Bowes. Despite resident objections and councillors' personal reservations, the venue was granted permission with specific conditions attached.
3 min readTrust 55 · Craft 65 · Hype 50
WorldMet Police AI Use Lacks Oversight Framework, Experts Warn
Experts have cautioned that the Metropolitan Police's adoption of artificial intelligence outpaces its regulatory oversight. A recent summit at City Hall revealed a lack of a current framework for governing the Met's AI use, raising questions about transparency and public trust.
4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
WorldLondon Sees Significant Drop in Neighbourhood Crime
London has experienced 35,000 fewer neighbourhood crimes in the past year. This reduction, attributed in part to increased police funding and targeted initiatives, includes significant drops in phone thefts and hospital admissions for knife assaults.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 75
Crime & Safety · EdgwareEdgware stabbing: Teenager treated for leg wounds
An 18-year-old man received treatment for stab wounds to his leg following an incident on Whitchurch Lane in Edgware on Wednesday, April 29. The Metropolitan Police are investigating, and no arrests have been made.
Edgware1 min readTrust 62 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
Crime & Safety · BarnetMen Held Longer on Iran Spying Allegations
Three men arrested in north London on suspicion of spying for Iran have had their detention extended. They are accused of aiding the Iranian intelligence service by targeting locations and individuals connected to the Jewish community.
Barnet3 min readTrust 66 · Craft 72 · Hype 30
Crime & Safety · FinchleyNorth Finchley Parents Charged with Baby's Murder
A mother and father from North Finchley have been charged with murder following the death of their three-month-old son. The baby was found with serious injuries on January 30 and later died in hospital on February 17.
Finchley2 min readTrust 36 · Craft 60 · Hype 15