Police hunt man after passenger knifed at Snaresbrook station

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police are hunting a man who allegedly stabbed another passenger after an argument broke out on the Night Tube.

The 50-year-old was on board a Central line train when a row broke out between him and a group of passengers.

When the train stopped at Snaresbrook station, the victim and the group all got out.

The man was then knifed in the leg by one of the men as they walked towards the ticket barrier.

British Transport Police say the victim suffered a serious injury to his leg and needed hospital treatment.

Detectives have now released a CCTV still of a man they want to trace over the incident, which took place on October 22 at around 1.20am.

Investigating officer, DC Jon Howlett, said: “I would like to speak to the man in the CCTV image as he may have information which could help with our investigation.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who recognises the man or can identify him.”

Singer Joanna Reyes hit by Range Rover on traffic island and killed after leaving show rehearsal

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A singer tipped for West End fame was killed when a Range Rover hit her as she stood on a traffic island in Limehouse.

Joanna Reyes was leaving a rehearsal for a production of comedy musical Urinetown at Shoreditch’s City Academy when she was struck and killed.

Her agent Linda Bradley told the Standard that the actress had been “drafted in last minute” to rehearse after another performer dropped out on Thursday evening.

The 37-year-old was standing on a traffic island in Commercial Roadwhen she was hit just before 11.30pm.

The singer, who had recently been signed by West End talent agency PMA London, was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the “amazing and bubbly” woman who was studying at the Academy in Shoreditch.

Ms Bradley added that Miss Reyes’s death had “left a huge void in the lives of everyone who knew her”.

She said: “There is nothing words can say at this moment to soften this tragic early loss of a beautiful life. 

“The theatre world, our religion, has lost a huge beauty and talent. 

“Joanna was the most vibrant person who has now left a huge void in everyone’s lives. 

“Beyond heartbroken is an understatement. 

“We continue to send our prayers and condolences to Joanna's family and friends at this tragic time. 

“Joanna will be very much missed but never forgotten." 

She also worked as a receptionist and co-ordinator of night courses at Islington’s Urdang Academy -whose alumni include Voice Finalist Matt Henry and Kylie Minogue’s choreographer Dean Lee.

Miss Reyes’s desk in the academy’s reception area was today covered in flowers in tribute to the performer.

Managing director Solange Urdang described her death as an “absolute tragedy” and hailed her “bubby personality and amazing kindness”.

She said: “Our staff, ex-staff, students and ex-students are absolutely devastated by Joanna’s death.

“She was bubbly, funny, vibrant and full of life. It is an absolute tragedy.”

Friends also took to social media in an outpouring of grief.

Ellie Seaton wrote on Facebook: “Have just heard the awful news.

“Simply cannot believe it! Rip you beautiful soul! You brought so much joy to the Urdang academy and brightened up our days! You will be truly missed!”

Claudimar Neto added: “Speechless is not even the word.

“Joanna Reyes what a beautiful soul, that has been taken away from us, the happiest person I have ever met, encouraging, hardworking, talented, worry free, comforting, bubbly ,energetic, supportive, the list could go on, what a shock. 

“Thank you for always supporting me and my dreams and helping me achieve those you will forever live in my heart. 

“You are truly one of a kind, an angel. We were the lucky ones to have had you in our lives.”

A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. 

He is being held at an east London police station.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Next of kin have been informed. Formal identification is yet to take place.

“A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.”

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward.

Man killed after being hit by bus outside Tube station

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A man has died after he was hit by a bus in front of shocked late-night revellers outside a busy Tube station.

The pedestrian, aged in his 40s, was struck by the bus outside Mornington Crescent station in the early hours of the morning. 

Police and paramedics fought to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene in Hampstead Road near to Camden’s popular KOKO night club at about 1.35am.

Witnesses, who were travelling home on the Northern line’s Night Tube service for the first time, described seeing emergency services vehicles lining the street outside the Tube station.

The station was later closed by Transport for London at the request of the police.

One Twitter user named Michael said: “Something major happening by Mornington Crescent station. Looks like someone was hit by a bus.”

Another told how he emerged from the station to see a police tent and the road completely taped off.

Hampstead Road was closed for more than five hours as officers investigated the collision.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police are in the process of informing next of kin. 

“The driver of the bus stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries. 

“No arrests have been made.

"Officers from the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit continue to deal.”

Man knifed outside church during brawl in south London

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A man is injured in hospital after he was stabbed during a brawl outside a church in south London. 

Police and paramedics raced to the scene after the victim was knifed outside the St Giles Church in Camberwell this morning. 

He was rushed to hospital after the attack. Police await an update on his condition.

Emergency services had been called to reports of an assault in Camberwell Church Street near the junction with Wilson Road shortly after 9am.

 Photos posted on social media by passers-by show police officers guarding a cordon at the scene.

Witness Maria Mikulina told the Standard the road was majorly closed off with multiple police cars lining the street.

Chris Barraclough tweeted: "Latest from Camberwell. Overheard in the shop that it's a stabbing.

"A serious one from the amount of police involved. Too much of this."

A Met Police spokesman said in a statement: “Officers attended and found a man - no further details - suffering stab injuries. 

“He has been taken to a south London hospital for treatment - condition awaits.

“Cordons remain in place around the scene. No arrests; enquiries continue.”

Climate change protesters staging die-in cause traffic chaos

Pic: Peaceful protest
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Protesters brought traffic to a standstill near to Heathrow airport on Saturday morning in a demonstration against the planned third runway.

Police arrested 15 people after a group of climate change activists brought traffic to a standstill as they rushed onto the M4 Spur Road to stage a die-in.

Cars were forced to stop as the campaigners lay in the road and refused to move.

Elswhere ex-MP Zac Goldsmith, who resigned from his Richmond Park seat last month amid the airport expansion row, was seen speaking to campaigners at the demonstration.

Lib Dem candidate for Richmond Park Sarah Olney, former climate change secretary Ed Davey and Ukip's Suzanne Evans were also seen with protesters, many of whom were holding placards and posters.

Campaigners held signs which read "protect the planet, no more runways" and "residents against aircraft noise" as they chanted: "No ifs, no buts, no third runway".

The protest was organised following last month’s announcement that the government would be backing the £16 billion plan to increase the number of flights at Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport.

The Met Police said they were aware of the planned protest and hope to work with the groups to ensure the demonstration stays peaceful.

A spokesman added: “However, we will have a proportionate policing plan in place and if there is criminal behaviour that leads to serious disruption or danger to anyone we will have a robust response to minimise disruption and maximise public safety. 

“People breaking the law may make themselves liable to arrest.”

Mr Goldsmith quit from his seat in Parliament after vowing to his constituents he would resign if the third runway plan was approved.

A spokeswoman for Heathrow said: "We can confirm that a number of climate change protests are taking place at Heathrow today.  Whilst we respect the right to peaceful protest, the safety of our passengers, aircraft and colleagues, together with the smooth running of the airport, is paramount.  

"We are working with the police to minimise any disruption, however passengers should allow extra time to travel to the airport, or use public transport where possible.”

The Met Police said as of 12.50pm they made a total of 15 arrests for obstructing the highway and public order offences.