13/12/2013 BBC London News

Tonight on BBC London, gang crime figures are down in the capital, the

government claims its Josh Auty of conducting it is working, but is it

enough? It means you have to look at the

whole social factors around gang violence, that contribute to it.

Also, questions over child protection after a win is a mother

is found guilty of killing her baby son.

A new stadium for QPR, but will it bring new life to this part of West

London? And, meet the hockey coach who has

been recognised as an Unsung Sporting Hero.

Good evening, welcome. We start with news that gang crime figures have

come down in the capital. The government claims its strategy of

combating gang culture is working. The project was launched a year ago

following the violence and disorder during the London riots in 2011. But

critics say although it has taken some troublemakers off the streets,

it does not tackle the root causes or solve the long`term problem.

A knock on the door of suspected gang members. This raid in August

one of many across the capital this year. 1180 gang members are either

behind bars or have been issued with gang injunctions, as does and

electric packing. On Tuesday, 400 officers burst into 21 homes in a

series of dawn raids across Lambeth, Croydon and Sutton. 27 arrests. For

a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply drugs, robbery

and immigration offences. The Operation Trident is on the front

line of the government's war on gang maniacally. But so is tackling the

issue from grassroots level. A Home Office minister visits this man. A

charity tries to reach out to teenagers caught up in crime and

violent. And change their lives. The government is funding projects like

this. My hunch is that this sort of approach is going to be far more

effective in getting them to turn around and each additional method

might have been. The government initiative has focused on 33 areas

across England, where gang crime is a major area. 20 are in Greater

London. Ministers and the police claim it is working, with figures

showing a fall in knife related crime and attempted murder in the

targeted areas. A Home Office report highlights nearly ?8 million in

government funding has been given to community projects. They are helping

the police crackdown, with new offences of threatening with a

knife, tougher sentences for the sale and transfer of illegal guns

and the introduction of gang member injunctions. The falling crime

cannot be attributed to the programme, it was launched in the

wake of the London riots. Even before these scenes, gang`related

crime is falling. The issue is how bored and deep the interventions are

in these activities. Whilst the fall in crime is welcome, there is

enormous work still to be done. One of the most interesting elements of

the report is the title, ending gang and youth violence. Really? Can you

really ended? This is state in Hackney is one of the hotspots

targeted by the government it is one of the hot spots targeted by the

government issued if. This man speaks the same language as gang

members. He used to be one. Now he runs a charity helpline that offers

advice for a way out. A lack of hope, despair, that education, bad

housing, broken families, missing fathers, I can go on, because there

are a lot of factors that contributed gangs. We really talking

about gangs or are we talking about a broken society? Gang related crime

might be falling, but it is a stubborn issue. Banks have and will

plague our city, but for now, charities welcomed the issue being

firmly on the government's agenda. Coming up later, a new wave of

strikes as firefighters walk out in an ongoing row over pensions.

There are questions tonight about child protection at a Berkshire

Council after a mother was found guilty of murdering her baby son.

Emma Wilson beat 11`month`old Callum to death, weeks after he was

returned to her care from foster parents. The family was known to

children services. The council said tonight a serious case review is

under way. He was fostered at birth, his mother

wanted him adopted, but seven months later, she changed her mind. In

November 2010, he was reunited with her at her flat on this housing

estate in Windsor. Four months later, he was dead. Among the

questions being asked, was at the right decision to return him and

forced the correct follow`up and monitoring done by those involved?

His mother brought him out, including two this children's

centre. But she told people here he was her cousin's baby, and when some

pointed out scratches, she said they had been caused by a sister who did

not exist. The review has been looking at staffing levels at this

children's Centre and whether the staff were qualified and

experienced. It has been examining how staff and parents apparently

noticed bruising on the toddler on as many as three occasions prior to

his death, yet no referral was made to children's services. One parent

told us the staff here, who have now left, did alert social workers. Over

the past two years and more, the local council has been worrying

where the blame might be laid. The Royal Borough of Windsor and made

its well`known as being one of a handful of so`called Vanguard

authorities, chosen to promote David Cameron's Big Society agenda. It

also has another reputation, in the year before this child death, it had

reduced its council tax by 4%, at that time a record anywhere in the

country, which showed how willingly it was prepared to embrace times of

austerity. Could cost cutting have been a factor? We like to call them

efficiencies. Weeks before Callum's death, we filmed the council leader

as they prepared their latest budget. They made savings of ?2.5

million to children's services, but part one `` but put 1 million back

into child protection. This independent councillor believes the

pressure to save money may have preoccupied senior managers at the

expense of the quality of the service. It has got to impact on

services, because you have got a management team that are focused on

providing savings, and that time they are taking on trying to

identify savings to make is time they are not spent running the

service that they are supposed to be running. A number of social workers

left the council after their allowances were cut. The borough,

with the cost`cutting reputation, ended up paying more for agency

staff. The leadership will prepare for the findings and publication of

the serious case review into Callum Wilson.

In a statement, the Royal Borough sake, we are deeply saddened by the

tragic death of Little Callum, and Alyson Duffy is with those who loved

and cared for him. As with all serious cases of this nature, an

independent review has been taken and a final report will be shared

early in 2014. It would be inappropriate for us to comment

until it is published. It is the regeneration of an area of

west London that could rival Kings Cross St Pancras, according to the

mayor. The proposals for a `` old oak, and include a new stadium for

QPR and a transport hub for HS2. It is hoped it will create up to 24,000

homes and 50,000 jobs. But some are concerned about the impact on the

local area. If you want to be a Premier League

club, the business model that hates you need a big round. Loftus Road is

too small. Today, they proposed a new 40,000 seat stadium in the old

oak area of West London. If the club wants to push on and the competing

with the big clubs, you need a stadium. It is impossible to make

18,000 people paid. We are really pleased with the political support

we have, but today is the first step in the right direction. It is just

north of Wormwood Scrubs prison. The site is currently occupied by motor

dealers. This would not just be a home for QPR, this is the proposed

area where the main hub station for HS2 would be. If crossrail to get a

green light, it could come through as well. It adds up to thousands of

new homes and new jobs. The mayor said QPR's proposals could prove to

be a real shot in the arm... We have a major football club,

hopefully they will be back in the Premier League, as part of the

different, it brings people, when people come, they spend money, and

businesses want to open, creating jobs, and creating somewhere that is

economically viable and growing. Not everyone is so convinced. I am

worried that local residents, fans and businesses have not been

consulted, and if this is a development of Singapore style

luxury blocks, not local homes for local people, I would be worried.

There seems to be a disregard for giving any information for the

people who live here. Instead of having open skies, we will have

Canary Wharf meets Manhattan. The proposals are years away from coming

to fruition, and it is likely that QPR's investment will only be

guaranteed if HS2 becomes a reality.

In the last hour, London firefighters have gone on strike.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union have forked out for four hours in an

ongoing row over pensions. It is the fifth strike in three months. Why is

the dispute ongoing? It is a dispute between the union and the

government, it comes down to this, did you think that a 60`year`old

firefighter will be able to save you? The union do not think so, the

government does. That is why these people are on the picket line. That

are on the picket line between 6pm and 10pm, only a skeleton staff is

covering London. The firefighters are convinced these changes would

lead to a cut. I asked if this could be resolved.

It is inevitable because people continue unless the government moves

on the central issue, and increase in the retirement age to 60. Most

people realise that firefighting is a physically arduous, challenging

job, and the idea of having large numbers of people in their late 50s,

60, tearing around London and Britain, pulling people out of

burning buildings, is insane, and these strikes will continue.

What is the government saying? The Prime Minister says he is

disappointed that the union has decided to take strike action. He

said he thinks firefighters have some of the most generous pensions

in the public sector. The Fire Commissioner said that he thinks

that people should think about having a cab out, rather than

cooking, to reduce the risk of a fire in their homes. There will be

another picket tomorrow. A mother from Hendon says she is

desperate for news of her two eldest children, who she says have

disappeared with their father in Russia. It is after a Russian court

made a ruling three weeks ago that Rachael Neustadt's ex`husband must

return their children in the UK. It is over three weeks now and

Rachael Neustadt has no idea what has happened to two of her children.

Last month, she won a ruling from a Moscow court for her ex`husband to

return them. I am completely in the dark, I do not know how they are,

where they are, I am really worried. I am really concerned about their

welfare. In December, she allowed her ex`husband to take the two

eldest on what was supposed to be a two`week holiday to Russia. They

never came back. Daniel and Jonathan used to attend a local primary

school in north`west London. Their father has been repeatedly ordered

by the UK's High Court to return them. In November, finally, a

Russian court told him to hand them back. He was in contempt of the

English system, and now his actions are in contempt of the orders that

were made in Russia as well. I do not think that he cares that he is

breaking the law. He is missing, as are the two young boys. His phone is

off, apparently, Russian bailiffs are looking for him. He is on

Interpol's alert list. Still to come tonight: We need a hockey coach who

has been recognised as a BBC London unsung sporting hero.

The Mayor's bike hire scheme was extended today to south`west London.

Up to 150 docking stations have been installed in Wandsworth and

Hammersmith Fulham. The launch comes days after Barclays announced

it will not be renewing its sponsorship of the scheme after

2015. Here's our transport correspondent, Tom Edwards.

The Mayor's flagship bike hire scheme today just got bigger. 2000

more bikes, and 150 new docking stations, as it moved into

Wandsworth and Hammersmith. A lot of people do cycle round here, so it

could be popular. It's brilliant. It should be everywhere. Why aren't

they in Brixton? I live in Brixton. Although there have been over 7.5

million trips this year, user numbers are down. This expansion

comes days after it was revealed the main sponsor would be pulling out in

2015. The numbers have been going down. Is

that a concern? Not at all. I think we had a great year last year,

because we have the Olympics and the Jubilee. Obviously, we've had to

change the fare package and the pricing. But it is getting 660,000

users a month. Wandsworth and Hammersmith Councils both

contributed ?2 million, from planning cash and transport funds

respectively, to help pay for the expansion. We have one of the

youngest populations anywhere in Europe. From Wandsworth's

perspective, it is perfect for it. Hammersmith Fulham is a very

congested borough, and it is very difficult to get around, whether by

bus or car, and these bikes are going to be really, really useful.

Now, though, if the hire scheme expands further, TfL is looking at

other ways to try and pay for it. We are not planning any other

TfL`funded cycle hire expansion. What we'd like to do now is for

business and for the boroughs to come together and tell us where they

would like these schemes to be. Let's see if we can get a plan

together, perhaps out of sponsorship, and also funds from

elsewhere, to see what we can do to expand the cycle hire scheme in

places where people with you want it. Elsewhere, the Department for

Transport is now allowing trials of lower lights for cyclist at the

notorious Bow roundabout. 11 sites will follow. All part of efforts to

try and make London's streets safer. Let's turn to sport, and Chris Slegg

has the round`up ` starting with football.

Thanks. It's been a decent week in Europe for our football clubs, with

Chelsea and Arsenal into the Champions League last 16 and

Tottenham through to the Europa League knockout stages. Tomorrow

it's back to the Premier League. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal get the

action under way at lunchtime. They're away to Manchester City. The

Gunners are five points clear at the top of the table, six points clear

of big spending City in fourth, but this is seen as the sternest test so

far to their title challenge. We believe in ourselves anyway, no

matter what happens. Let's not forget as well that if you are in

City's position, if they lose, they are nine points behind. So they have

more negative pressure than we have. We have positive pressure, but we

can make a big difference with them. Arsenal are going so well in the

League right now. Elsewhere, plenty at stake for all our Premier League

teams this weekend. There's a London derby at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea

host Crystal Palace. Palace's fellow strugglers Fulham travel to Everton.

West Ham, who are just above the relegation zone, take on bottom club

Sunderland. On Sunday, Spurs hope to get their Champions League bid

firmly back on track against Liverpool.

Also on Sunday, the 60th BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be

crowned. Of the ten names on the short list, two Londoners are in the

running. Two Londoners who are rather good at running. Mo Farah,

who followed up his London 2012 success by winning the 10,000 and

5000 metres in Moscow this summer, to become only the second man to win

both titles at both the Olympics and World Championships. And Newham's

Christine Ohuruogu, who won the 400 metres in Moscow ` just ` to become

the first British woman to take gold at two World Championships. They of

course face fierce competition from the likes of Andy Murray and AP

McCoy. The full short list of all ten contenders is on the BBC Sport

website. We'll also find out the winner of

the Young Sports Personality of the Year. Three names are on the

short`list, two of them from our neck of the woods. Amber Hill, the

16`year`old from Bracknell who is already a World record holder in

shooting. And Blackheath and Bromley Harriers' Dina Asher`Smith, who was

part of the 4x100m bronze medal`winning relay squad at the

World Championships. It's not all about those competing

at the top level of their sport though. In recent weeks, we've been

asking you to nominate London's Unsung Sporting Hero, and now BBC

London has a winner. Many of these youngsters in

north`east London might never have given hockey a go if it wasn't for

the efforts of volunteer coach Matt Lovell. Waltham Forest Hockey Club

is, say regulars like Susie Martin, a place transformed since Matt

arrived. Matt has been volunteering at Waltham Forest Hockey Club for

over eight years now. He started the youth section here, and it started

with two or three kids coming along. Now we've got over 150, and at least

50 or 60 turning up every week. Matt dedicates at least 30 hours a week

to the club, and he has persuaded 14 others to give up their time as

coaches. If you meet Matt, he's very determined, and he literally doesn't

give up. If you come along and speak to him for more than a couple of

minutes, he will probably have roped you into something. It's not just

the youngsters that Matt has inspired, but people like Alistair,

who found hockey a little later in life. I only started playing hockey

about two years ago, and I have loved the way that it is a really,

really friendly club, and Matt plays his role in that. I think Matt is an

Unsung Hero because he puts in phenomenal hours, working with the

kids at the club here. We have not been entirely honest with Matt. We

told him we were here to film a feature about the sport, but we are

actually going to give him this. Because he is BBC London's Unsung

Hero 2013. Matt, we would like to present you with this award.

THEY CHEER. Thanks! He does jokes with us

sometimes. He's not really that moody. He doesn't ever shout. He

makes it so much fun. It makes it easier for us. He always wants us to

get it right and wants us to do good. The fact that it has been

recognised is amazing, because hopefully it means I can rope more

people in and convince more people to give up their time. Matt Lovell

is BBC London Sport's Unsung Hero for 2013.

Well done, and thanks to everyone who nominated their sporting unsung

hero. That's all the sport. New next, the new play about the man

responsible for making a huge decision, where to draw the border

between India and Pakistani. He had just six weeks to make the

decision, which resulted in people being displaced.

We will move the border 100 yards south. The story of partition is one

many people know. Border created to split India and Pakistan into two

separate Haitians, after independence was one in 1947. `` two

separate nations. For the first time, a you play seen here in

rehearsals is to take a look at several at Cliff, the judge sent to

draw the line. `` Cyril Ramaphosa. He believes in fairness. When he is

catapulted into this extraordinary situation of having to draw the

line, the partition in the subcontinent in such a ridiculously

short timescale, he wants to do the right thing. He wants to do it

right. Cyril Radcliffe had six weeks to make his decision, but he had

never been to India before, had no knowledge of the culture or his

people, and knew nothing of maps. I have been sent to do a job. He had

been chosen by the Prime Minister, who wanted to speed up Britain's

exit from India. Although he met with key political figures, such as

Gandhi, he made the final call. The results are upwards of 1 million

people who die in riots and cross`border fighting, leaving more

than 10 million people displaced. Cyril Radcliffe never returned to

India. 60 years on, his legacy continues to haunt the region.

It is Friday evening. How is the weekend whether looking?

Not quite as bad as it has been looking. It looks as though we will

go all the way to Christmas with this weather. Mild and breezy is how

best to describe it. Saturday should be the sunnier of the two days.

Sunday will be cloudy. At the moment, there is some rain around.

Some of it is quite heavy, but it should be clearing away from the

Thames Street at about 9pm. Then the skies were clear, and as the breeze

eases, it will get quite chilly. Not quite as chilly as early in the

week, but he and there, it could be cold enough for a touch of frost on

the grass. A sunny start to the weekend on Saturday. The freshening

breeze will blow more and more cloud across as, so it does look as though

it will be quite cloudy in the afternoon. Having said that,

temperatures will get into double figures for most of us. As that wind

continues to strengthen, it will eventually blow some rain our way on

Saturday night. As you will see in a moment, some of that rain will be

quite heavy. Keep an eye on the numbers inside the arrows, because

you will see that the steady winds will be round about 20 miles an

hour. It should push that rain through quite briskly. By Sunday

morning, most of the rain should be out of the way, and the cloud will

be breaking up quite nicely. It won't be quite as sunny as Saturday.

In the afternoon, we can expect some outbreaks of rain. The breezy

weather still with us. Some rain, but not all the time. With that

breeze, some good news for kite flying dog. I think that one there

is going to be very pleased with the weather!

Thanks very much indeed. A quick reminder of the day's headlines.

The Government's been accused of turning its back on Syria's refugees

by not offering any a safe haven here. It comes as hundreds of

thousands are forced to live in tents in sub zero temperatures,

three years after the civil war began.

After the execution of North Korea's second most powerful figure, there

are fears about the stability of the secretive communist state.

New figures from the Government show that gang crime is down, but there

are concerns the roots causes of gang culture in London isn't being

tackled. That's it. We will be back with our

late news later. Have a great weekend.