04/08/2014 BBC London News

Tonight, a special programme as London Remembers.

Commemorations across the c`pital on the day, 100 years ago,

It is important that we are here remembering those of our colleagues

who gave a supreme sacrificd. Plus in a tribute to the fallen `

Chelsea Pensioners parade through London's streets

in vintage cars from the Grdat War. I'm overlooking two of London's

best`known landmarks as they I'm overlooking two of London's

best`known landmarks as thex prepare best`known landmarks as they prepare

to mark the centenary. Also coming up this evening,

cracking down on laughing gas, the legal high being sold

on the capital's streets. An end to paying

the congestion charge through third party websites, to prevent lotorists

paying over the odds. And after their success

in the Commonwealth Games, we look at the medal hopefuls

for Rio in two years time. Welcome to BBC London News with me,

Riz Lateef. We start tonight with more

on the commemorations to mark Britain's entry into the First World

War, one hundred years ago today. Across

the capital events have been held to remember the hundreds of thousands

of soldiers who lost their lives. At Westminster Abbey

a service is being held at 00 o'clock this evening ` an hour

before war was officially ddclared. And in

the same hour it's hoped thousands of Londoners will mark the occasion

by switching off their lights. Leaving a single candle lit,

for a shared moment of refldction. Let's cross to Asad Ahmad who's

overlooking Tower Bridge ` one of the focal points

of tonight's commemorations. I am overlooking Tower Bridge, the

unique skyline of London. It is safe to say that the skyline would not

look anything like it does today if it was not for the hundreds of

thousands of fallen men and women who gave up so much 100 years ago.

Like many of you at home, I have family who fought and died hn that

family who fought and died in that war. Among the tribute being paid,

probably one of the most spectacular is taking place across the river

from me at the Tower of London, where 120,000 ceramic poppids have

been planted in a sea of blood red in the tower's malt. Volunteers have

in the tower's malt. Voluntders have been busy planting the poppies.

in the tower's malt. Volunteers have been busy planting the popphes. They

will continue doing so until Armistice Day. When they have

finished, it will have planted 888,000 246 poppies, one for every

Briton who fell in the conflict I've been looking at the other

events taking place across London. The smell of fuel was thick in the

air. The Chelsea pensioners waited to climb aboard the carriagds,

to climb aboard the carriages, Edwardian vehicles on the road

during the Great War. Some were more mobile than others. It was no

shortage of photo opportunities. mobile than others. It was no

shortage of photo opportunities My shortage of photo opportunities My

father was in the Royal Marines shortage of photo opportunities. My

father was in the Royal Marhnes and father was in the Royal Marhnes and

I had an uncle who served in the trenches. They did not talk about

their experiences a great ddal. They gave the ultimate sacrifice. There

is nothing that can beat th`t. is nothing that can beat th`t.

Taking you home in a box, fhnished. It is marvellous because it makes

the youngsters know what yot grandparents and all this put up

grandparents and all this ptt up for. With military precision, the

remainder of the cars were started and the centenary procession got on

its way. Stopping first at Lancashire

and the centenary procession got on its way. Stopping first house for a

private viewing of war paintings, and then greeted by crowds at the

Imperial War Museum where they stayed for the rest of the

afternoon. They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. It was

not just soldiers remembered today. A two`minute silence marked the

memory of the underground sdrvice memory of the underground sdrvice

men killed in the war. Over 1000 on men killed in the war. Over 1000 on

the ground staff lost their lives in the 1914 war. As well as th`t,

London transport had a huge role to play in getting troops to the

Western front. At huge number play in getting troops to the

Western front. At huge numbdr of Western front. At huge numbdr of

buses were commandeered by the government, and it was also

important that we kept London moving, even as the war progressed.

Tonight, Westminster Abbey will mark the centenary by moving from light

the centenary by moving frol light in the darkness. Drawing upon Sir

Edward Grey's famous words Tom at the lights are going out all over

Europe. Each candle in the @bbey Europe. Each candle in the Abbey

will be extinguished until just one remains at the grave of the unknown

Warrior. That will be extinguished at exactly 11 o'clock tonight to

mark the moment that Britain declared it was going to war. Some

of the events marking the centenary today across London. Join md

of the events marking the cdntenary today across London. Join me later

because there was more to come in the programme, including recognising

Enfield's contribution to the Great War. The rifle used by Brithsh

War. The rifle used by British soldiers serving on the Western

front. And like to London, we have more on the building is takhng

front. And like to London, we have more on the building is taking part

in the massive events to mark Britain's entry into the First World

War. A crackdown by councils in East

London on street sellers offering the legal high ` nitrous oxide.

Whilst laughing gas, as it's more commonly known, is not illegal for

over 18s `` drug charities are warning the abuse of the gas can

lead to serious health problems. lead to serious health problems.

Here's Marc Ashdown. The men with balloons have just

inhaled laughing gas, which makes you high for a few minutes. It is

readily available from street vendors who will fill a balloon for

just a few pounds. More people are trying it out. When you lay down and

do it, it is the best feeling. You are dizzy but I do not like it. I'd

prefer to smoke weed. I do not hear many people talking about it. It is

there but people just allow it. Nitrous oxide can be dangerous. It

restricts oxygen to the brain and causes serious injury `` can cause

serious injury. But none of this is a legal. Police have been powerless

to act until now. Local councils have found a way to clamp down. In

Hackney, they are using powdrs have found a way to clamp down. In

Hackney, they are using powdrs to prevent illegal street trading. In

Hackney, they are using powers to prevent illegal street tradhng. In a

single night, they recently managed to confiscate more than 1000

canisters. One of the issues is the anti`social behaviour it crdates for

people around the area. The nightlife that we want to encourage.

But not the residents are `` if the residents are affected. Charities

are worried that Home Officd residents are affected. Charities

are worried that Home Office figures are worried that Home Officd figures

showed that last year 300,000 young people admitted trying nitrous oxide

recreationally. You will be tempted to either reuse over a prolonged

period, which increases the risk of asphyxiation, or they could have an

accident while they are unconscious. But the real danger is that it will

lead them to seek longer lasting Heinz, which will lead to drugs

which have more serious consequences. `` longer lasting

highs. The government told ts consequences. `` longer lasting

highs. The government told us that they have written to organisers of

major festivals to encouragd they have written to organisers of

major festivals to encourage them they have written to organisers of

major festivals to encouragd them to major festivals to encourage them to

prevent it being sold at their events. But at the moment, the

growth of this legal high is proving difficult to stop.

Here's Marc Ashdown. Around sixty firefighters h`ve been

Around sixty firefighters have been dealing with a large fire at a

recycling plant in Rainham near Dagenham since this morning. The

London Fire Brigade says it was called just before nine`thirty ` one

hundred tonnes of household waste caught light at the plant in Creek

Way. Heavy smoke was visibld across Way. Heavy smoke was visibld across

the capital and the brigade asked locals to keep their doors `nd

windows closed. The cause of the fire has yet to be established.

Transport bosses are cracking down third party websites which charge

motorists an extra ?8 pounds ` on top of the congestion charge.

TfL says it will refuse to take payments from them ` and has also

announced plans to replace the current text

payment system with an app. Our Transport Correspondent, Tom Edwards

Transport Correspondent, Tol Edwards has more details.

The congestion charge is a big moneyspinner for TfL. It has brought

in almost ?1 billion in revenue moneyspinner for TfL. It has brought

in almost ?1 billion in revdnue so in almost ?1 billion in revdnue so

far, reinvested in transport. While most drivers use TfL's webshtes

far, reinvested in transport. While most drivers use TfL's websites to

pay, there are copycat webshtes like pay, there are copycat websites like

this one, that charge up to ?8 extra for exactly the same servicd.

this one, that charge up to ?8 extra for exactly the same service. At

this one, that charge up to ?8 extra for exactly the same servicd. At its

peak, 1000 people a day were using peak, 1000 people a day were using

these copycat websites, payhng an extra ?80 for a service that they

can get for free on the Transport for London website. But after the

for London website. But aftdr the intervention from the search engines

on the number of people using these copycat websites has dropped to less

than 100 day. This site makes it clear that it is not offici`l. TfL

wants to stop taking payments for the congestion charge from

third`party sites. Effectively, that will put them out of business. So

far, we have not had a response from this website. We are a comp`ny is

this website. We are a company is this website. We are a comp`ny is

providing genuine additional services for a customer, you

providing genuine additional services for a customer, yot have

providing genuine additional services for a customer, you have to

say that there is a reasonable place in the market for that. But these

sites are not offering any additional service at all, offering

an identical service to the official TfL website. That is what Google and

the other search engines have concluded and that is why they are

no longer taking advertising from them. This is the next logical

step. To close off that loophole and make sure that nobody gets caught

out. TfL also plans to replace text out. TfL also plans to repl`ce text

payments for the congestion charge with a smartphone app, and all these

with a smartphone app, and `ll these proposals are now being consulted

upon. The final decision will be made by the mayor.

has more details. A mother from Surrey, whose 5

year`old daughter has type one diabetes, has won her fight to be

able to send her to school. Teresa Dodson says her daughter Imogen was

forced to stay at home after Surrey County Council refused to provide

the medical help she requirdd at the medical help she requirdd at

school. Jean Mackenzie has the story.

Imaging needs her blood sugar levels tested up to 15 times a day. This

works out what she should eat tested up to 15 times a day. This

works out what she should e`t and when she needs insulin. 6.6,

perfect! During her first d`y at school, she was not tested enough

and her blood sugar plummetdd. school, she was not tested dnough

and her blood sugar plummeted. When collected her, she was in a

hyperglycaemic state. When she came out, I could see straightaway. She

had shadows under her eyes. The reason to calm the role of teacher.

While she applied for imaging to be granted special needs status. So

that she could get one`to`one care. Every minute, every second, you have

to manage them, to keep them safe. to manage them, to keep thel safe.

Her having the support in school, it is vital. She cannot go to school

without it. Surrey County Council refused her and two other families

funding. On the grounds that their children's needs were medical, not

children's needs were medic`l, not educational. A view that they

challenged. If they cannot lanage challenged. If they cannot manage

the condition, they have problems with concentration and behaviour.

And some cognition difficulties. It And some cognition difficulties. It

affects their education if the condition is not managed

appropriately. A tribunal agreed with this and Surrey County Council

has now granted all three children special needs status. That leans

special needs status. That means that imaging can finally get excited

about starting school. Being at home is all well and good, but it is not

a normal life for a 5`year`old child. They need to be out there,

exploring the world, enjoying everything that is out therd.

exploring the world, enjoying everything that is out there. I

exploring the world, enjoying everything that is out therd. I am

really excited for her. There is hope that parents will soon face

fewer obstacles. From next term schools must follow new rules to

schools must follow new rulds to make sure that children with medical

conditions are properly supported. Surrey County Council says they are

looking at the rules closely. story.

The Commonwealth Games may have just ended `

but some of the London athldtes ended `

but some of the London athletes who came home with medals will be hoping

to repeat their success at the Rio Olympics in exactly two years time.

Our sports reporter Chris Slegg is here with his take

on the 'ones to watch'. I know Adam Gemili caught

your eye. We always knew plenty about him but

as thoughts turn to real, he's proved that he can handle the

pressure. Nothing was inspected to him in 2012 but people inspected

pressure. Nothing was inspected to him in 2012 but people inspdcted him

to win a medal at Glasgow. And he to win a medal at Glasgow. And he

did just that in the 100 metres He did just that in the 100 metres. He

took the silver. That was hhs first took the silver. That was hhs first

major championship battle. He was delighted with that. And in the

relay, he lead the England team in the relay. They went on to win

silver there. He ends the g`mes with two max over metals. He certainly

feels that he got plenty from the Glasgow experience. This is where

I've learned how to compete with the best and go into it optimistically.

I think this is what I will always look back upon. This is where I ve

learned to do it, I will think. Who learned to do it, I will think. Who

else stood out? Jodie Willi`ms. else stood out? Jodie Williams.

There's been a lot of presstre on There's been a lot of presstre on

her. She won 151 consecutive There's been a lot of pressure on

her. She won 151 consecutive races during the age of 12 and 17. She is

now only 20. She struggled to adapt when she turned senior. Injtry

ruined her 2012. But now shd has made a breakthrough with senior

medals in the 200 metres last week. She came through in lane five to

take the silver. 22.5, a personal best. Joint second on the all`time

list. On Saturday night, shd helped list. On Saturday night, she helped

the relay team get the bronze medal. Silver and bronze for Jodie

Williams. She will look to build upon that, as will Adam at the

European Championships. Thex upon that, as will Adam at the

European Championships. They begin European Championships. Thex begin

ensure it next week. And wh`t about the gymnastics? Two bronze medals

ensure it next week. And what about the gymnastics? Two bronze ledals in

2012 for Max, which took his performance to a different level. He

played a key role in getting gold in the team event. Then he got another

goals in the all`around fin`l. He goals in the all`around fin`l. He

took his main aim of breaking the 90 point mark. And then a bonus called

the next day. A silver on the pommel horse and a bronze on the p`rallel

bars. That marks him out as a true gold medal contender for thd

bars. That marks him out as a true gold medal contender for the real

Olympics. `` Rio. It was a real step up when the top athletes from China

and Japan get involved but he has proven that he could

and Japan get involved but he has proven that win gold in 2016. What a

start. Thanks. Returning to the World War I

commemorations here in the capital. Assad Ahmad is at City Hall.

your eye. Well London played a vital role

in the First World War. People often overlook that London is

applied the front line of the war effort with weapons. Not only from

the Arsenal in south`east London, but also from Enfield, the home of

the Lee Enfield rifle, the bolt action repeat rifle which w`s

the Lee Enfield rifle, the bolt action repeat rifle which was a

weapon of choice for the Brhtish weapon of choice for the British

Armed Forces, but the much for the whole of the first half of the 20th

whole of the first half of the 0th century. A reporter has been to

Enfield to see how the borough century. A reporter has been to

Enfield to see how the borotgh is commemorating

A service in Broomfield Park to remember the sacrifice Enfield's

They will remain in our thoughts forever.

The entire nation came together to assist the war effort but Enfield

played one of the most important roles.

It was home to the factory that made these.

This is the classic World War I Lee Enfield rifle.

Historians believe this site was the birthplace of mass prodtction

Today it is made up of mostly offices and houses but during the

First World War 20,000 men `nd women from Enfield worked here and

produced 2 million Lee Enfield rifles.

It was used by every British soldier.

Denoting that it was made at Enfield.

Some of the original factorx buildings still stands but the site

The canteen was a problem bdcause with so many workers feeding them

Local people of all ages were brought in

at the start of the war to deal with the increased demand for we`pons.

At 14 you could get 18 shillings a week which was a very good wage

You had many at the factory who had been there

for 20 or 30 years when the war started so you had people of all

ages and during the war thex started using women in larger numbers.

Many of those women were replacing men who had been sent to fight.

3000 of those Enfield soldiers never made it back home.

You have to our bridge opening because there is a ship comhng

because there is a ship coming through and they are singing, it is

quite emotional. Here at City Hall, a photographic

exhibition is taking place, looking at the impact of the First World War

on the lives of Londoners. The exhibition highlights some

of the memorials created to honour And it's hoped that

in this centenary year Londoners will be encouraged to discover more

about the lesser known memorials It is probably

the most famous memorial to victims The Cenotaph is the focus

every November But World War I's victims are

remembered on memorials big In the grounds

of a school where 18 children were At the entrance to Baker Street

station where the victims of the There are some 5000

across the capital including the memorial to the Royal Camel Corps

in Victoria Embankment Gardens. Quite a typical style with bronze

panels. A century since the start

of the First World War thoughts are turning to how to maintain the

memorials for future generations Most memorials were probablx

set up in the 1920s. They are approaching 100 ye`rs old

and have become historic monuments and structures

and will inevitably start to deteriorate with age so it hs

important we all look out for them. That is where the statue of

the unknown soldier on platform one Dear unknown soldier,

the scars never leave you. It has been

a good 100 years now since xou The public are being

asked to write a People are too busy to stop and

think about things and look at the It made me remember there are

so many personal stories, so many Nearly 20,000 people have s`t

down and written Every kind of feeling,

every kind of opinion. The names remind us

of the human cost of conflict. Tonight,

Londoners may take a moment to think Tower Bridge was 20 when the First

World War began. Tonight it is dimming its flights between 10pm and

11pm. It is not the only landmark doing that.

Other buildings taking part in Lights Out London includd

Downing Street, the Foreign Office and Buckingham Palace.

Theatres across the West End are also

involved including the New London Theatre where War Horse is playing.

And the famous neon lights on the giant advertising hoarding

in Piccadilly Circus will instead display a roll of honour,

as a tribute to some of the hundreds of thousands

Householders are also being encouraged to take part.

With me now is Nigel Hinds, Executive Producer of Lights Out.

This reminds us why every shngle one of us should take part. Why? 100

of us should take part. Why? 10 years ago people across Britain were

about to wake up to news th`t was about to wake up to news that was

going to change their lives. It's changed our lives far more than any

of them realise that that thme. We of them realise that that time. We

created this together an opportunity for people to share a moment in the

very many different ways that for people to share a moment in the

very many different ways th`t people will want to share a moment, of

reflection about what they were about to go through, becausd what

about to go through, because what they went through change thd world

and had immense impact on the way that we live now. What has amazed

me, Londoners of different race and colour got involved. Is that

something you expected? We hoped that Londoners would respond to the

invitation but we have been overwhelmed by the range of people

who found their own particular way of taking part. People can take part

at home or by going out to one of the many events which will be taking

place across London where people the many events which will be taking

place across London where pdople can place across London where people can

gather to watch something and share a moment in a group rather than on

their own. Encouraging young Londoners to learn about the

their own. Encouraging young Londoners to learn about thd First

World War, which is a lifethme away from them. Why? Because it shapes

the world they live in. We are the world they live in. We are

working with artists as part of that project and we have created aided

usual artwork that anybody can download and the idea is that

usual artwork that anybody can download and the idea is th`t by

download and the idea is that by engaging with the digital world we

will be able to be towed to younger people. `` reach out. I will be back

during the 10pm news to see how Tower Bridge looks. I will be

letting you know exactly wh`t Tower Bridge looks. I will be

letting you know exactly what is happening between 10pm and 01pm

Over on BBC Two this evening there's special coverage remembering World

War One including a commemoration service from Westminster Abbey.

And for plenty more information on the First World War just go to

It started off well. We had some lovely sunshine today. We have

It started off well. We had some lovely sunshine today. We h`ve not

lovely sunshine today. We have not had any appreciate will reign for

quite some time. `` any rain. There is going to be rain midweek.

Most of the rain has been in showers. There has been a lhttle bit

showers. There has been a little bit of rainfall in a short spacd

showers. There has been a lhttle bit of rainfall in a short space of

showers. There has been a little bit of rainfall in a short spacd of time

in various locations but not widespread. There are a few showers

which are going to fizzle ott widespread. There are a few showers

which are going to fizzle out as widespread. There are a few showers

which are going to fizzle ott as we go through the night, leaving as

well `` us with dry conditions. We might have temperatures of 12

well `` us with dry conditions. We might have temperatures of 02 or

well `` us with dry conditions. We might have temperatures of 12 or 13

might have temperatures of 02 or 13 degrees in the suburbs. One or two

spots may fall into single figures that we will see Miss Horsfall

that we will see Miss Horsf`ll developing into the early hours of

the morning. `` mist or fog. There will be the risk of one or two

showers that could be heavy. They will not be for everyone and into

the afternoon it is going to feel pleasantly warm. 22 or 23 across the

Home Counties. The rain is going to come through in the middle part of

the week. It will be a pretty soggy rush`hour for weapons. ``

Wednesday. That is going to move away to leave us with some sunshine

and then we have low pressure systems working their way across the

Atlantic. In particular the one behind me is interesting and you

will be hearing more about that as we go through the week. There will

be days when it is sunny, days we go through the week. There will

be days when it is sunny, days when it is not so sunny. We have rain on

Wednesday, Sun on Thursday and it is not so sunny. We have rain on

Wednesday, Sun on Thursday `nd then there will be some showers on

Friday. It could be quite an unsettled and breezy weekend.

The Prime Minister and the Royal Family have joined dignitaries

at events around Europe to lark 100 years since the outbreak

It was on this day in 1914 that Britain declared war on Germany.

That's it for now on this poignant day across the country

I'll be back during the Ten o'clock News.

From us all here, have a lovely evening.