24/07/2014 BBC London News

has been hit by a missile in northern Gaza. That's all from the

BBC News at Six. It is goodbye from me. We can enjoy the BBC News teams

where you are. Concern that Scotland Yard is

struggling to cope with a dramatic rise in the number

of child sex abuse cases. It only takes one case, such as baby

Peter, to make everything unravelled.

Allegations increased by more than 60%, but the Mdt says

more officers are being recruited to deal with the workload.

In the wake of the Malaysia Airlines disaster we assess the impact

of Russian sanctions on London's economy.

What we are trying to do is to take account of the gradual action of

sections backed by Russia and Vladimir Putin.

Plus attempting to win over support for a second runway.

Gatwick bosses pledge ?250 lillion as it puts its case for expansion.

Almost two years after the London games the Olympic cauldron finds

There are fears that Scotland Yard is struggling to cope with

a huge increase in child abtse allegations across the capital.

According to a report published today the number of alleged child

rapes has increased by more than a half over the past six years.

But the London Assembly claims the Met's sex crime squad is under

resourced, putting a serious drain on the unit.

Our home affairs correspondhng to Guy Smith reports.

It is one of the most difficult and stressful areas of investig`ting,

stressful areas of investigating, but please have a statutory duty to

protect children from abuse. Today London's police and crime committee

published a report. It shows a dramatic rise in the number of

allegations, bringing new pressure that act is struggling to meet.

Since 2008, there has been lore that act is struggling to mdet.

Since 2008, there has been lore than a 50% increase in alleged child

rapes. Over the same six`year a 50% increase in alleged child

rapes. Over the same six`ye`r period the number of sexual assaults

against children has risen by 6 %. against children has risen by 6 %.

The report suggests this is because of high profile cases like Jimmy

Savile Rolf Harris. And also more confidence in the Met to properly

investigate. They are just about coping at the moment, but it only

takes one case, such as baby Peter, takes one case, such as baby Peter,

to make everything unravelldd. takes one case, such as babx Peter,

to make everything unravelled. It is to make everything unravelldd. It is

important they properly resourced child safety in London. We `re

child safety in London. We are seeing a massive increase in child

abuse and the police have to keep up to make sure every case is

investigated. Those police numbers have gone up to almost 1000

officers, 22% more than five years officers, 22% more than fivd years

ago. But the report shows some 50 ago. But the report shows some 50

posts were not filled last September. There are many positive

comments here about how the Met deals with child protection, but

this report is a warning shot not to repeat the mistakes of the past The

repeat the mistakes of the past. The case of baby Peter in Haringey in

2007 highlighted failures around not having enough staff and lack of

supervision. High vacancy r`tes and poor are sharing of information

between the police and other agencies. This report says there is

no room for complacency. We are not going to take our eye off the ball.

The Met police considers the protection of our young and

foreign`born people to be vdry foreign`born people to be vdry

important. We welcome the rdport. The amount of crimes are increasing

and they are becoming more complex and it is important we resize it

appropriately and that is what we are looking to do. The Met claims

both charges and convictions have increased. The police and crime

committee says it will be reviewing committee says it will be rdviewing

Scotland Yard's progress later in the year.

Lots more to come including helping to free up homes for families.

Why ageing Londoners should be encouraged to downsize.

London is a prime destination for not only

Russian businesses, but also oligarchs owning multi`million pound

properties. But there are growing calls for tougher sanctions against

wealthy Russians who have close relations with President Putin. The

EU is considering what action to take in response to claims that

Russia has supported armed rebels in eastern Ukraine who are accused of

shooting down the Malaysian airliner MH17. Let's get more now from Sonja

Let's remember many wealthy Russians have had something of a lovd affair

have had something of a love affair with London in recent years. We hear

about them buying properties, Chelsea football club, the Dvening

Chelsea football club, the Evening Standard newspaper. But now there is

concern the latest sanctions could make the city of London suffered. It

is home to much of the ?27 billion worth of Russian investment. In

2012, the financial services trade was worth just under 900 million.

Some experts were saying London should not be worrying just yet.

Oligarchs may be getting nervous, but we should not overestimate

Oligarchs may be getting nervous, but we should not overestim`te the

impact they have on London. They have property in London is the

perception, but it is not the case. It is less than 10% of the high`end

market. Cash assets you can take out quickly, but with housing it is much

less liquid. We spoke to one journalist who has been working on

documentaries about wealthy Russians living in London. Many of them do

not have anything to do with Vladimir Putin or his regime.

not have anything to do with Vladimir Putin or his regimd. They

Vladimir Putin or his regime. They have not made their money bdcause

Vladimir Putin or his regimd. They have not made their money because of

have not made their money bdcause of their closeness to the regime. Some

of them made money because of their talent. So they might not think it

is fair to impose blanket sanctions is fair to impose blanket s`nctions

against everybody. London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, has been in the

headlines because of his links to a wealthy Russian family. That is

right. There woman in question is right. There woman in questhon is

married to a former minister in President Putin's Government and she

paid ?160,000 at a Conservative Party fundraiser for a game of

tennis with Boris Johnson and David Cameron. Today Boris Johnson denied

that the nation was hypocritical. What we are trying to do is to take

account of the dreadful at by separatists backed by Russia and

Vladimir Putin ultimately, so the attempt is to tighten the screws on

that regime. It is important that people who are not associated, or

people who are not associatdd, or who are hostile to that regime,

people who are not associated, or who are hostile to that reghme, are

who are hostile to that regime, are not caught in the general b`cklash.

not caught in the general backlash. There is growing pressure on David

Cameron to take tougher acthon on oligarchs who are close to President

Putin. Exactly who will be targeted under these new sanctions and how

will be revealed soon. A manhole cover exploded in a road

in north`west London this afternoon. No`one was injured

and the cause is not yet known. There has been a steep rise

in the number of so`called pavement explosions

over the past year in London. announced a series of plans to limit

the impact on the area. The cost would be more than ?25

million, but the airport's owners say expansion

will create around 120,000 jobs. And they are prepared to pay 25%

above the market value for homes They also say other homeowndrs

could benefit from a ?50 million Gatwick airport from the skx, the

busiest single runway airport in the world and the campaign for `

busiest single runway airport in the world and the campaign for a second

world and the campaign for ` second runway here is hotting up. ?256

million pledged to help easd local million pledged to help easd local

communities' concerns. A second runway would stretch out before me,

running parallel with the existing one and nearly one mile to the

south. It would cross Greenland industry and industry and 160 homes

would have to be compulsorily purchased. Landscape around would be

affected as well. There has been consultation with local people. The

airport wants to be seen to be listening. We have made changes to

reflect what people have sahd and we have added to the pledges we have

already made to make it possible for local people to see they will share

in the benefits. Among the pledges ?46 million for community

infrastructure like schools and hospitals. Owners of homes that need

to be demolished would recehve hospitals. Owners of homes that need

to be demolished would receive 25% to be demolished would recehve 5%

above the market rate. And a ?50 above the market rate. And ` ?5

million noise compensation fund. Campaigners say it is not enough. It

is nothing in the scale of things. They will be making substantially

more profits and the impact of those profits will be felt by the

shareholders' bonuses and not the local community. There seems to be

mixed views over where a new runway should go. It is good for the market

area, it creates jobs, people coming into the local area and it hs

positive. Stansted because it into the local area and it is

positive. Stansted because ht is 25 minutes from where I live. Gatwick

would be my choice. I know the Thames estuary. It is wide open

space, they have got power stations, it is not exactly pretty. G`twick

it is not exactly pretty. Gatwick says if it gets the go`ahead a

second runway could be built by 2025.

More on today's report which has criticised Scotland Yard

for keeping information abott campaigns run by bereaved families.

An undercover police unit collected information on 18 families,

including the relatives of Stephen Lawrence and

Scotland Yard has apologised to the families involved, but stresses that

they and their campaigns were not the focus of undercover operations.

Our officers were directly gathering information, no officers were sent

out to gather information about the families or those who were trying to

help their cause. This activity was into groups who were bilin groups

who wanted to create violence and disorder in London. The officers

disorder in London. The offhcers also picked up information about

those families as a result of that. One of the campaignS subjected to

information gathering according to the report was the Justice for

Harry Stanley campaign. Harry Stanley was mistakenlx

shot dead by police in 1999. Terry Stewart has been secretary

for that campaign ever sincd. for that campaign ever since.

He joins me now. Harry was shocked by the police in

1999 and the police were tipped off an Irishman was carrying a gun, but

Mr Stanley was carrying a wooden table leg that had just been

repaired. How do you do about table leg that had just been

repaired. How do you do about the fact you were under surveillance?

Festival, the Stanley familx fact you were under surveillance?

Festival, the Stanley familx are devastated by the news today.

Festival, the Stanley family are devastated by the news todax. The

idea that a small community campaign, similar to the other

campaigns, led by families, organised by local communitx

organisations, there is no reason why they should have been

scrutinised. There were public events and everything was open and

transparent. I do not understand why they were carrying out this work.

They talk about collateral intrusion. Language like th`t means

intrusion. Language like that means absolutely nothing. The Metropolitan

Police have apologised. Is that enough? No, I do not think ht is

enough. The devastation caused to the families by the initial act of

killing of their loved ones, then they had to go through court and

they still got no justice for their loved ones. For them now to turn

around and say we had been tnder surveillance is a terrible shock to

the families. It is a bigger shock to the rest of the communitx because

we are talking about a country that prides itself in transparency and

democracy, not a Stasi like operation which we are more akin to

seeing in Eastern European countries. Still to come: Lxing

seeing in Eastern European countries. Still to come: Lying on

countries. Still to come: Lxing on the sea bed of South end for more

than 350 years. The efforts to save an historic shipwreck. And Berkshire

swimmer Andrew Willis wins a place in the 200 metres breaststroke final

at the Commonwealth Games. This week we have been looking at radical

at the Commonwealth Games. This week we have been looking at radhcal ways

we have been looking at radical ways to help solve London's houshng

crisis through the eyes of experts. crisis through the eyes of dxperts.

Today in the last of our series we ask if elderly people should be

encouraged to downsize to free up larger properties for familhes. The

chairman of a company which builds homes, including retirement flats,

certainly thinks so. He thinks building more accommodation for

older Londoners can make a real difference. If we can find a

older Londoners can make a real difference. If we can find ` flat

difference. If we can find a flat for people in the early 60s and 70s

and if we can get them to move to a flat, we solve all sorts of problems

at the same time. We free up family housing and they are not family flat

on the fifth floor, they are houses with gardens, and we look after

ourselves when we are older. Sooner or later those family houses will be

too much for us. It is not specialist retirement for old people

kind of housing. It is ordinary housing in

It is not specialist retirement for old people kind of houshng, it

Everybody else is living all around and do our part of everything.

It is the modern flat that city people `

Londoners ` know how to deal with and will enjoy in their old age

I have got one bedroom, one bathroom and one sitting room

We have lovely views outsidd of the garden ` and the pub.

It is us that I think is the target.

Getting people while they still have their wits fully about them to

If just 2% of people who ard over pension age with two empty spare

rooms moved every year and downsized that would produce an enormous

What have you got in your photograph, Peter?

For some older people the khnd of social life that goes with being

further into the centre in apartments with facilitids all

around, not far from where you were before.

It's no bigger than what I had before.

It can be something vibrant and new and you can walk evdrywhere

It is a trade`in but it can be a trade`up.

If you've got something to say on the subject you've just heard

about ` why don't you join the conversation

taking place on our Facebook site, or Twitter ` using #BBCHomeTruths?

Or if you'd rather e`mail us ` the address is [email protected]

Let me just tell you, that this time tomorrow, my colleague Riz Lateef

will introduce a special programme looking at housing

in London with a panel of experts ` and the Mayor's housing advisor.

HMS London was a ship which helped to escort Charles

the second back from Holland to England over 350 years ago.

A few years later ` it was accidentally blown up in the Thames

Estuary where it lay undiscovered until just a few years ago.

But now, there are real fears of the wreck being lost for good.

In 1665 it wasn't cargo vessels here but warships preparing to fight

And one of those ships, the London, now lies at the bottom

of the Thames, preserved under layers of silt.

It is probably the most important shipwreck site

It was only one of three warships built under Cromwell

in the late 17th century but the only survivor of those thred boats.

The flagship of the boat, the London, was on its way

from Chatham to Gravesend to pick up Admiral Sir John Lawson.

On board were his family and friends and other guests.

The idea was that they would greet the Admiral and then disemb`rk

But the ship never reached the Admiral, somehow the gunpowder

on board was ignited and a huge explosion split her in two.

Today, marine archaeologists were searching for artefacts.

They have already retrieved pipes and pots as well as ammunition

It is extremely difficult, we have strong tides and bad visibility

because of all the suits and sediments in the water. For the

first 45 minutes of the dive sediments in the water. For the

first 45 minutes of the divd it is first 45 minutes of the dive it is

very black and you cannot sde your very black and you cannot sde your

hand in front of your face. But the silks and the sediments have

hand in front of your face. But the silks and the sediments havd also

silks and the sediments have also saved this ship. When timber remains

and organic remains settle into this and organic remains settle into this

mode they get preserved into an organic environment which does not

allow it to be eaten by organic allow it to be eaten by org`nic

creatures. The lack of creatures means good archaeology which is what

we have got. The divers can only reach the wreck when the tide is

perfect and now that part of it is exposed it is starting to

disintegrate, which means it is a race against time. There is no

intention to raise the wreck, only the artefacts found on it. Hnstead

the artefacts found on it. Instead it will be preserved for future

generations to dive and explore From its original home

in a small bookshop in 1980s, the Black Cultural Archives now has

a permanent home in the heart The ?7 million redevelopment

of a heritage site was officially opened today

and will be dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating

the histories of people of African Last night,

competitors at the Commonwealth Today, they squared up to e`ch other

to compete ` as the Games first day in Glasgow

got off to an exciting start. It was a great start and within the

last few moments that has been It was a great start and within the

last few moments that has bden a last few moments that has been a

great result for the West London judo player Ashley McKenzie because

he has won a gold`medal beating the Indian in the final. He had a really

disappointing London 2012. He had a troubled upbringing. He says that

judo saved him from going to prison, so this is a too rhythmic result

judo saved him from going to prison, so this is a too rhythmic rdsult for

so this is a too rhythmic result for him. He would have been chedred on

him. He would have been cheered on by his team`mates and the C`mberley

judo club in Surrey. Terrific result judo club in Surrey. Terrifhc result

for Ashley McKenzie. Later the fighter from forest gate is in the

women's final so they could be another gold. Disappointment for Sir

Bradley Wiggins after he mist out on the Tour de France team and returned

to the track but the England men's team assumed were beaten by

Australia, the world champions. `` missed out. They set a new

Commonwealth Games world record. So no Commonwealth gold for Sir Bradley

Wiggins. I understand they could do better in the pool tonight. Andrew

Willis is there and he is from Frimley. We just heard a word from

him. We did just hear a word from Andrew Willis. He is in the

breaststroke final but it whll be a breaststroke final but it whll be a

tall order because three Scottish swimmers swum faster than him in

tall order because three Scottish swimmers swum faster than hhm in the

swimmers swum faster than him in the heats, among the Michael Jaleson,

heats, among the Michael Jameson, home favourite, and Willis knows

later he will have to put in a really fast time if he is going to

get a medal and hopefully we really fast time if he is going to

get a medal and hopefully we can hear from him now. It is gohng

get a medal and hopefully wd can hear from him now. It is going to

get a medal and hopefully we can hear from him now. It is gohng to be

very quick tonight so just go back and relaxed and comeback focused.

The Scots are getting a huge welcome The Scots are getting a huge welcome

which is great. I have my friends and family up there as well and I

can hear them so it is generally a great atmosphere. Good luck to him

later on. The final takes place at about 9pm. There was a good result

for England's women's hockey about 9pm. There was a good result

for England's women's hockex team, for England's women's hockey team,

the squad contains seven pl`yers who the squad contains seven pl`yers who

play their hockey in the capital beating Wales, Alex Denson of

wedding among the scorers `` Reading. Lots of exciting stuff

going on. The Olympic Cauldron was probably

the best`kept secret of the 201 Maybe apart from the Queen jumping

out of a helicopter anyway! Well, two years on,

the stems which converged to create the flame which burned throughout

the Games ` has gone on display Jean Mackenzie has been takhng

a closer look. It was the centrepiece

of the opening ceremony. Hundreds of flaming copper petals

rose to form a cauldron that It was a closely`guarded secret

while it was being built but now it is out in the open, and some of

those secrets have been revealed. We had to transport it undercover to

the Olympic Stadium The codename for this project was

Betty and the lift that lifted it was called Frank and we built both

of those components All of the testing was done

into darkness and there was a no`fly zone over the top so there was no

chance of this thing leaking. Not all this cauldron is

the original. The steel stems are the ones used

in the stadium but the copper tips are the rehearsal set because that's

the ones set alight during the ceremony have been sent to each

of the 204 countries that competed. The one given to

the British team has been loaned to Each of the petals is uniqud,

moulded individually using these The cauldron is displayed

in two halves, to show I think it is that chance to kind

of see something that was so phenomenal, so large`scale, so kind

of ceremonial, in a way that is much more intimate, it is a fabulous

experience for people and wd hope that will kind of really get people

excited and really give thel It is hoped the display will also

recapture some of that magical It was a magical summer. Let's get

the weather forecast with Peter. the weather forecast with Pdter

This hot weather is continuing. Talking of cauldrons, 28, 20 9

degrees again. It will tone down over the weekend but hot and sunny

is the message again. You can tell is the message again. You can tell

this picture wasn't taken today because the grass looks far too

green. It will crisp up over the next couple of days. Clear skies

across the region at the moment. It across the region at the moment. It

is a fine evening with tempdratures is a fine evening with tempdratures

well up into the mid`20s in most areas. There is a nice breeze from

the east but that will bring in moisture from the North Sea as we go

through tonight. Some misty low cloud developing as the night wears

on and temperatures down to about the mid to high teens. These are air

the mid to high teens. Thesd are air temperatures and your house is

probably warmer than that are building up the heat from the strong

sunshine of the last few days which sunshine of the last few daxs which

is making it feel uncomfortable at is making it feel uncomfort`ble at

night. Bit of a great start for most of us but the cloud should break up

fairly readily `` great start. But of cloud may pop up in the afternoon

bringing one or two sharp showers from late afternoon but very

bringing one or two sharp showers from late afternoon but verx hit and

from late afternoon but very hit and miss and before that happens we are

talking about temperatures getting up to 27 degrees and possibly 2

Celsius, so another hot day. Hopefully the showers will hit my

garden tomorrow evening before clearing away, because they will go

and another fine evening ahdad. How and another fine evening ahead. How

is the weekend looking? The change of wind direction will be qtite

of wind direction will be quite important. On Saturday we c`n still

talk about a largely dry day, some talk about a largely dry dax, some

patchy cloud, and we still have warm air in place at this stage so some

places will get up to 28 and possibly 29 degrees. So another very

warm day. But we have a change on the way for the second half of the

weekend. There is an area of low pressure across the north of the UK

that will push this cold front southwards. You will notice a

different feel to things by Sunday. Still up to the mid 20s and on

Monday things back to near where they should be at this time of

year, so gradually turning things down.

Before we go, a reminder of tonights main news headlines.

Officials in Gaza say 15 people have been

killed and more than 200 injured after an Israeli strike

on a school which had been turned into a United Nations sheltdr.

So far at least 730 Palestinians have died

It's emerged that the crash site of Flight MH17 has yet to bd secured

` a week after the plane was shot down.

A BBC team visiting the site this morning found the scene desdrted `

A report has criticised Scotland Yard

for keeping information abott the campaigns run by bereaved families.

An undercover police unit collected information on 18 families `

including the relatives of Stephen Lawrence.

That's it for now, I'll be back with our next news at 10:25pm

Enjoy the Commonwealth Games which is on next.

Well, when did we start funding projects in Gaza?

How do you know people are telling the truth?

Well, when did we start funding projects in Gaza?

I should never have done this. I should never have agreed to this.

ECHOING HEARTBEATS LOW, THROBBING BUZZ

I don't think I know who the Doctor is any more.