03/01/2014 BBC London News

Tonight on BBC London. Cycle safety in the capital. Figures show deaths

and injuries rose over a four`year period. It's obvious that the roads

are not getting safer. In fact, they are getting less safe and this is

something we can fix. But City Hall insists it's making the streets

better for cyclists. Also tonight. Another London borough calls for a

change in the law to stop the spread of new betting shops. The children

who came from Panama to lead London's New Year's Day Parade. And

found themselves stranded. And the amazing story of a man who lived

wild in a German forest 300 years ago and his connection to a village

in Hertfordshire. Good evening. The Mayor has always

claimed that cycling in London is getting safer. But tonight there are

claims to say that isn't actually the case. Figures obtained by the

Green Party on the London Assembly show the rate of cycling deaths and

those seriously injured on the capital's roads increased between

2008 and 2012. The figures come on the day a coroner at the inquest

into the death of a cyclist in Victoria warned of the danger of

cycling on the inside of lorries. Our Transport Correspondent Tom

Edwards has this report. Cycling in London has never been more popular.

But its safety continues to be under intense scrutiny. Today was the

inquest of Doctor Katharine Giles, a climate scientist, who died cycling

here on Victoria Street in April after being in collision with a left

turning HGV. An experienced cyclist, the coroner could find no fault with

the driver of the HGV. He was indicating left, and an audio

warning was also sounding. The court heard from two witnesses who both

saw Doctor Giles cycle up the inside of the HGV. One of them said the

truck driver couldn't have seen her. She was in his blind spot. Later,

the coroner said, we can highlight once again coming up the rear of

lorries is a recognised cause of a number of deaths in London. A ban on

lorries in rush`hour is being looked at by the Mayor. Campaigners want

new laws to force manufacturers to have cabs like this one with much

better visibility. What we would like to see in London was a lot more

direct vision lorries. Lorries which have a large lass area to the side

and to the front which means the driver can see a lot more people

around them, pedestrians, cyclists, vulnerable people `` glass. Doctor

Giles was on the left side of this lorry. If it had been one of these

direct visions, perhaps she would have been alive today. The Mayor

said cycling is getting safer as a number of deaths is decreasing. But

according to the assembly, the latest TfL figures show the rate of

cyclists killed and seriously injured continues to worsen. In

2009, there were 2.33 deaths per million journeys. That increased in

2010 and 2011. In 2012, it increased again to 3.17. It's obvious our

roads are not getting safer but in fact are getting less safe and this

is something we can improve, because most of the collisions and injuries

are a combination of bad road design, excess speeding, or

inattention and carelessness usually on the part of a driver. It's time

we took this seriously. City Hall says it's doing just that and the

figures have been published for some time. It says the rise in injuries

is why it has trebled spending to improve infrastructure and to make

cycling safer. Tom joins me now. Tom, who's right about this then?

Well it depends who is measuring it. The reality is both sides could

be deemed to be correct. What it does show, I think, it's the New

Year, there's still a focus on cycling safety. And that look like

changing. Before Christmas, we saw a lot of police activity related to

cycling safety. Hasn't made a difference? I just spoken to the Met

and they said they had seen a change in behaviour since they started this

operation and I have got the latest figures here. Until yesterday, they

gave out 30,000 fixed penalty notices to cars, lorry drivers,

cyclists, 200 arrests, all kinds of offences. It's been a big success,

so they claim. OK, Tom Edwards, thanks very much. Stay with us

tonight as there's lots more to come. And you owner at Charlton

athletic. We will find out more about the Belgian millionaire who

has bought the team, currently struggling at the wrong end of the

championship. There are renewed calls tonight for the government to

take action to curb the number of betting shops opening around London.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is the latest council to demand a

change to planning laws which will allow them to limit how many betting

shops can open on the high street. Emma North reports. Critics call it

the crack cocaine of gambling. The fixed odds betting terminals.

They've helped to take ?1.5 billion a year after the pockets of the

gambler in the betting shop and put them in the coffers of the

bookmakers. There's a limit to how many terminals are allowed in each

shop, so the bookmakers open more branches and in Greenwich, the

council has decided they want this to stop. From where I'm standing, I

can see three betting shops, all clustered together. And right now, a

betting shop can just simply open up in what was an estate agent or a

bank or even a pub or restaurant. It can convert to a betting shop

without planning permission. Greenwich isn't alone. From

Chinatown to new, London authorities try to stop their spread. Bookmakers

say they are doing nothing wrong. We are doing what everybody else does.

We clustered together. That doesn't mean there's more gambling. We are

eating each other's lunch. The government says councils have enough

power was already and: There shouldn't be betting shops.

The economy can't afford any more betting shops to go up. The state of

the country at the moment, we are poor. It's too much of an

encouragement for the younger generation. They seem to be open for

hours from early morning until late at night. I don't think it's a good

thing. As more and more shops become vacant, it goes to most betting

shops. Some argue any legislation is too little too late. Benefit cheats

are being targeted in parts of London and Essex as part of a drive

to tackle fraud. The government has begun a pilot scheme in three areas

aimed at getting claimants to declare changes in their

circumstances which could effect the amount they get. If they don't, they

face fines of up to ?2,000. Victoria Graham has been looking at the issue

of benefit fraud. She's joins us from Westminster. Victoria. This

sort of thing has been tried before but nevertheless the government has

launched this new campaign for six weeks over six areas and if it works

locally, they say they will go without nationally. There are two

London's areas, Epping Forest, Hounslow, and Mike Penning told us

today that if it doesn't work, this is why they chose the areas. We

picked them because they are very different. People think benefit

fraud only takes place in certain areas but that's not the case, so we

are spreading it out across six very different areas. See what sort of

response we get and if we get by, we will phase it out. It's their money

being wasted. The government think they can tackle this problem. It's

through social media. Posters going up, adverts and local newspapers, on

Facebook. Existing claimants will get letters through the post just in

case their circumstances have changed. They will also have strong

warnings that they could be fined up to ?2000 if they tried to cheat the

system and the government is keen to stress they believe most benefit

claimants are genuine. It's only a small number of people who commit

fraud. How much is it costing us? Last year, deliberate benefit fraud

cost the taxpayer ?1.2 billion. Benefit overpayments, just because

of a simple error, because the claimant hadn't informed the

government of a change in circumstances, costs ?1.6 billion.

That's quite a bit higher. So this isn't just about catching out the

criminals, but helping genuine benefit claimants keep on the

straight and narrow. The reason for this, over the last five years,

benefit detection Ford hasn't changed and that for the government

wants to tackle. They believed the softly softly approach on a local

level could work and they want to increase detection rate whilst

keeping the costs to the taxpayer very much down. OK, Victoria, in

Westminster, thanks very much. They came to lead London's New Year's Day

parade celebrations with their marching band. But three children

from Panama were left stranded here after their airline refused to let

them board. It was all because of spelling mistake on their tickets

and when they tried to get on a second plane this morning they were

told there was no record of their booking. But there is a happy ending

to the tale as Marc Ashdown reports. They were the standout stars of the

New Year's Day Parade. A 100 strong Panamanian band. They nearly didn't

make it at all after the instruments were impounded at Heathrow. But for

three of the young performers, their dream trip is turned sour. They are

stranded in a cramped London hotel room after twice being stopped from

flying home. We had a very good time in London. It was very good. We were

the first band to march in the parade. Then I was disappointed to

get to the airport not been able to fly with everybody else. We are

missing them now. We are missing Panama. Issues with spelling

mistakes on their tickets was the first problem but when the parade

organisers rebooked them another flight at 4am this morning, again

they were stopped after an administrative error. I'm absolutely

stunned. We are talking about minors from Panama, who need to get home to

their parents, having been exposed to some pretty foul weather for a

week. The airline is just being impossible. And not being in the

least bit helpful and actually being rather unpleasant about it so I'm

really quite angry. TRANSLATION: I was very sad when I

heard the news at the airport. I was crying, actually. We had a good time

but it's time for us to go back to our families because we miss them a

lot. Yes, I hope I can fly as soon as possible. To make that happen,

Delta airlines was demanding they buy new ticket at the total cost of

?7,000. But after BBC London intervened, Air France, has now

agreed to fly them all home. Tomorrow, for free. This promotional

video shows how excited they were at the prospect of coming to England

but for these bandmembers, it's been a slightly more eventful trip than

planned, but they will know soon be on their way home. At least it's a

happy ending. Still to come. The amazing story of a man who lived

wild in the German Forest 300 years ago and his connection to a village

in Hertfordshire. It's the first Friday of January when we prepare

for a weekend of hearing familiar terms like giant`killers, shock

defeat and replays. Sara Orchard can tell us why. Oh, you are right.

We're starting with the FA Cup third round. This is the stage where the

the Premier League and Championship clubs join the mix. We have plenty

of London sides in action but most the headlines from the draw go in

the direction of the Emirates tomorrow evening when north London

rivals Arsenal and Tottenham go head`to`head. The Gunner's manager

Arsene Wenger is looking forward to the clash but knows that Spurs have

been boosted following Tim Sherwood's appointment as manager. A

good result at Manchester. Confidence is certainly up.

Therefore, you have two teams playing with full confidence and

full desire to go through. It should be a very exciting time.

Arsenal against Tottenham kicks off tomorrow at 5.15pm on BBC London

Digital Radio. For all the FA Cup fixtures, just go to the BBC Sport

website. One match that has already been

postponed is Charlton Athletic against Oxford United, because of a

drainage problem at the Valley. But Addicks fans have other matters to

consider tonight, after the club confirmed that Belgian millionaire

Roland Duchalet completed his takeover of the club this afternoon.

Chris Slegg is outside the Valley for us now. Chris, we've been

expecting this news for a while. It was indeed. It was only three

years ago when Charlton were last taken over. Since Michael Slater

took control, there have been rumours he wanted to sell the club

on. Today, that has happened. The Belgian millionaire Roland Duchalet

has taken over. He owns five clubs throughout Europe. He has taken

control of a club at the wrong end of the Championship, the second tier

of English football. Charlton are three points above the relegation

zone, seven years since they were in the Premiership. Du chatelaine may

not mean anything to fans, so we asked a Belgian dad `` journalist.

Charlton is his fifth club. A real entrepreneur. A businessman. He

wants to make money out of football. People need money, clubs need money.

He invests. He will have the best interests of Charlton athletic at

heart. But the way to do it can sometimes conflict with fan

opinions. What are some of those opinions? The

chairman of the supporters trust is with us, what is your reaction?

It is good news. There has been a period of uncertainty over the

direction of the club. That has been resolved. This is an owner who can

take Charlton to another level. New investment will hopefully happen

pretty soon. Ian, a bit of uncertainty over the

position of the manager, Chris Power, a popular figure with the

fans. There is no doubt the majority of

fans think Chris Power has done a magnificent job with limited

financial resources. With the new regime, perhaps he will be given the

opportunity to bring reinforcements in and take the club forward.

Do you think this owner is here for the long term?

What do you hope for realistically? We want stability, fans want to know

their club is safe. We want to see the club in safe hands. Owners who

will have the right reasons for being here. And ultimately that we

will be more successful. One of the first things is to bring

back the former chairman Richard Murray, how do you feel?

I think that is great news, Richard is very popular among Charlton fans.

He is very much about communication and fan participation, we look

forward to seeing him again and finding out what the plans are.

No FA Cup match tomorrow, the FA have given a date as next Wednesday.

Charlton say the pitch will not be ready. So, the new era will probably

begin next Saturday, probably against Barnsley.

He was the runner with moustache and red socks, who went from being the

10,000 metre world record holder, to organising the London Marathon. Now,

David Bedford, the former race director, is celebrating being

awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours. I went to meet him at

Marathon House in Southwark earlier. This piece of paper has been folded

up in his Filofax for six weeks. Confirmation of his trip to

Buckingham Palace to be awarded an MBE.

I came back from work, and I thought, I wonder whether that is

it? It did not look like a parking fine. It was the great news of an

OBEs `` OBE. I will take my wife, my mother.

The honour is for services to athletics and charitable

fundraising. I had an exciting, spectacular,

controversial at times athletic career. My period with the London

Marathon, 20 years, has been particularly rewarding. ?500 million

has been raised by runners in the event for charity. I would have that

on a gravestone. Running is in his blood and whilst

the bombings at last year's Boston bad and rocked the community, it

hasn't held him back. It was a real shock.

An emotional day but I am sure one which has helped to move some of

those memories of last week. The London public were really good.

They have been through it many times before.

Bedford now works part time compiling the London Marathon elite

field. After going halfway last year, Mo Farah is expected to go the

distance this April. Bedford thinks it is unlikely his greatest rival

will join Mo Farah on the start line.

I do not think Bekele will be there. The London Marathon is harder than

the Olympic Games or world Championships.

I can't wait for that 2014 race. And, once again, congratulations,

Dave. That's all the sport, back to you,

Asad. He was known as Peter The Wild Boy,

because he was discovered by an English king living in a forest in

Germany nearly 300 years ago. The boy had been surviving as an animal,

eating what he could find, walking on all fours. Now, an exhibition at

Kensington Palace will tell the story of Peter and his close

connection to a Hertfordshire village. Sarah Harris explains.

In a quiet graveyard in the village of Northchurch in Hertfordshire, the

now listed resting place of Peter The Wild Boy, so`called after being

discovered living feral in the woods of Germany and brought to this

country by George the first. Once the court tired of the nonspeaking

human pet, he was cared for by farmers here. The flowers on his

grave, 200 years after he died, a testament to how locals took him to

their hearts. If there was any trouble, people

would have helped him to find his way home, or to give him special

care in that they provided him with drinks at the local pub, he was

particularly fond of gin apparently. Peter preferred to

scamper on all fours and would wander off. It is understood he had

a red genetic condition known as Pitt`Hopkins Syndrome. The collar he

war has been preserved at a school close to his home. On a diet

including gin and raw onions, he lived to be over 70.

It says Peter The Wild Boy man, whoever will bring him to

Berkhamsted will be paid for their trouble. It kept him safe. You have

to put it in the context at the time whereas, now, we look at it and we

see a collar we associate with our pets. It did keep him safe.

Later this year, these artefacts will be exhibited at an exhibition

at Kensington Palace, at the place where he lived and died, the

interest and affection for Peter lives on.

What an incredible story. Finally, which part of London is the most

stylish? I ask the question, because the search is on for the most

"sartorially savvy postcode", ahead of the fashion world descending on

London for next week's showcase of men's style. Warren Nettleford

reports. London Test fashion industry is

worth billions, and there are projections next year we may spend

more on menswear rather than womenswear for the first time. The

showcase starts here next week, and Boris Johnson has launched a

condition where each London postcode becomes a catwalk. This is a very

old riding coat. You have to impress this judge on the panel.

Make a case, be it with photographs, text, stories, pictures of the

buildings around you. I have lived in lots of different postcodes, they

have different flavours and sensibilities. In terms of judging,

we will know it when we see it. Shoreditch, can the people make a

convincing case? A lot of young people. Things happening all the

time. Things are changing here. My jeans, my T`shirt. Is it about

price? Not for me, it isn't. I am not down with all the vintage

stuff, I like new clothes. In west London, there was a greater sense of

confidence. Suede shoes, Boss. People wouldn't wear that in

Shoreditch. When it comes to fashion, he thinks there is nowhere

to rival the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is a lot

nicer area. I would be walking around, people wearing nice

clothing, trench coats, nicer than Shoreditch. You can enter using

social media, then it is down to the judges.

With the weather still very much in the news, let's get the forecast

with Sara. We have a lot of brain still to come

this weekend. We start on a pretty poor note with heavy rain tomorrow

morning. It will dry out before further rain later on Sunday. In

between, there will be some bright weather, first thing on Sunday

morning but a chilly start. Overnight, we will lose the showers

through the day. As you can see, they are dying away. Tomorrow

morning, clearer skies for a time before the cloud increases. More

rain making its way in from the south. Courtesy of some brain

stretching down to northern France. It will make its way towards us

tomorrow morning. Once it comes in, it will be heavy once more, as much

as an inch in six hours, so the Met Office has issued a weather warning.

Coming in at breakfast time, with us right across the map by mid`morning.

Pulling off towards the north`east. Drying out later, towards lunchtime.

A lot of rain to come through with that. A bit of bright weather

perhaps before the sun sets. Temperature is still above where

they should be at the time of year but it will be wet and windy for the

daytime. Overnight, temperatures will fall away. Some showers towards

the southern counties. Largely dry for Greater London. We will see

Frost towards north and West London. A chilly start on Sunday. Some

sunshine around. Stay with us through `` staying with us through

Sunday. More rain will make its way towards us, another band of heavy

rain, wet and windy once more on Sunday afternoon. Showers on

Monday. Weather warnings are in force.

A reminder of tonight's main news headlines.

The west coast of Britain, from Cornwall to Scotland, has been

battered by another storm today, with rivers bursting their banks and

homes flooded. There are severe flood warnings in place, meaning a

danger to life. But, so far, the damage in places is not as bad as

feared. The Bank of England says the highest

number of mortgages for nearly six years was approved in November.

According to the Nationwide Building Society, house prices across the UK

rose by over 8% last year. That's it. Alex Bushill will be here later

the ten o'clock news on BBC One. For now, on behalf of the BBC London

team, have a very good evening. Goodbye.