20/08/2014 BBC London News

That's all from the BBC News at Six ` so it's goodbye from me.

On BBC One we Campaigning for a safer

Thames River. 25 years after the Marchioness

accident, families and relatives None of the parents,

myself or the rest, dreamed we would succeed, but I know they are all up

there saying thank you. The health watchdog criticises staff

shortages and highlights poor critical care at Northwick Park

and St Mark's hospitals. The parents of

an Essex schoolboy fined for taking him on holiday during term`time to

see his dying grandfather. The comedian ending sermons with a

punch line. Good evening

and welcome to the programme. 25 year ago today,

a disaster on a boat on the Thames The Marchioness had been hosting

a party when it collided with Since then,

a campaign to improve safetx has meant a lifeboat service is on call

24 hours a day on the Thames. Our reporter Emma North is by the

river this evening and joins us now. Behind me is Cannon Street Ridge,

the Fat Reg, that is where the dredger struck. Scandal followed

about the treatment of the bodies of the victims and the communication

with the bereaved and about the state of the rescue facilities on

the water. Today's remembrance service was not only about

remembering those who died 25 years ago, it was about asking qudstions

about how safe the water is. 51 people who a quarter of a cdntury

ago died on the Thames. Many of people who a quarter of a century

ago died on the Thames. Many of them were young, enjoying a night out,

and tipped into freezing fast flowing waters. Name of the boards

they were on edge into London `` London's recent history. What

they were on edge into London `` London's recent history. Wh`t should

have been all night celebrations turned into terror soon aftdr

have been all night celebrations turned into terror soon after the

crews got under way. The owners said the collision was like a bicycle

being run over by a lorry. The people downstairs, there is no way

they would have got out. I had only had about two beers. The Marchioness

took 30 seconds to be pushed completely under by the dredge of

the boat. It exposes the Thames as completely under by the dredge of

the boat. It exposes the Th`mes as a the boat. It exposes the Th`mes as a

place in ill`equipped to deal the boat. It exposes the Thames as a

place in ill`equipped to deal with an emergency, no lifeboats, nowhere

to cling onto in the dark. The momentum grew for change and

transparency. This control room is what protects us in two ways. New

technology allows vessels to be seen in the water. 43 new bylaws govern

their movements. The cameras are linked to the emergency services.

There is much more focus on doing these things formally, going through

a process, rather than relyhng these things formally, going through

a process, rather than relying on a process, rather than relyhng on

someone's opinion or the advice of a sea dog. Out of the water you can

see the solutions. Three lifeboat stations. Warning lights. Some

comfort perhaps to those at the Cathedral today. One of the

victim's mothers has spearhdaded Cathedral today. One of the

victim's mothers has spearheaded the victim's mothers has spearhdaded the

campaign. A legacy for those victim's mothers has spearheaded the

campaign. A legacy for those killed. None of us deemed that we would

succeed `` creamed, but I know that we `` they are all up their fleeing

thank you. It took a tragedx for anything to be done.

25 years since the tragedy. The water itself has moved on. Ht is

much busier. 2.5 million passengers were on the Thames, last year

much busier. 2.5 million passengers were on the Thames, last ye`r it was

were on the Thames, last year it was 8 million. The mayor wants 02

million people to be on the Thames by 2020. That is a lot of pdople and

by 2020. That is a lot of people and a lot of planning and a lot of

precautions to be taken. Still to come, the office blocks

being turned into flats to help the capital's housing shortage, but at

what cost? Staff shortages

and poor quality care in A That's the verdict on

Northwick Park Hospital aftdr an The publication of the

Care Quality Commission report comes ahead of next month's closure

of two nearby A units. Critics claim this will put

Northwick Park Hospital under even more pressure at a time

when it's already failing p`tients. No A can afford to fail, not this

one that has been expanded `s No A can afford to fail, not this

one that has been expanded as others Nearby close. Today's report paints

a picture of a department mtch Nearby close. Today's report paints

a picture of a department much in a picture of a department much in

need of improvement. There `re a picture of a department mtch in

need of improvement. There are long need of improvement. There are long

waiting times, sometimes fotr towers, sometimes five hours. It is

about whether you are lucky. Staff were available pretty quickly. We

were really very satisfied. The service was appalling. The way the

nurses treat you was appallhng, very disappointed with this hospital.

nurses treat you was appalling, very disappointed with this hosphtal The

Care Quality Commission found staff shortages but singled out Northwick

Park saying it has to ensurd shortages but singled out Northwick

Park saying it has to ensure that are enough staff in A, surgery and

critical care. It called for more appropriate equipment in paddiatric

services. The maternity unit was rated adequate for responsiveness

with women not always being able to summon the assistance they required.

The timing of the report is particularly sensitive. Next month

the A units at nearby hospitals will close as part of NHS reforms.

Placing this one and even more pressure. A concern I put to the

trust. The plans involve a significant investment and

development in terms of a ndw significant investment and

development in terms of a new A development in terms of a new A

department. We are confident that that development will enhance and

improve our ability to look after patients. He points to how they

might have doubled the numbdr patients. He points to how they

might have doubled the number of might have doubled the numbdr of

consultants in a year in A Others remain unconvinced. Including the

leader of the council. We were remain unconvinced. Including the

leader of the council. We wdre told leader of the council. We wdre told

clearly by the Secretary of State that closures would not occur unless

there were adequate alternative provision in place. The CQC has said

that the provision is not acceptable and not good enough. We are saying,

halt the closure. The Department of Health said that these changes are

for the local NHS to implement. Health said that these changes are

for the local NHS to implemdnt. As are the promised improvements to

Northwick Park Hospital. Everyone agrees we need more homes

in London but is one attempt to achieve this backfiring on

businesses? Local councils are businesses? Local councils are

warning that thousands of jobs in the capital are being put at risk

because change the planning laws are living offices to be converted into

houses and flats. `` allowing offices.

For more than a decade this man has run his architecture firm from this

office. Along with other ch`rities and businesses that occupy the rest

of the building, aye`mac ard and businesses that occupy the rest

of the building, aye`mac ard being forced to move out because of areas

and change to planning laws. We have three floors of the building. We are

now down to one. That sort of flexibility allows firms to grow.

Trying to find similar types of property will be increasingly

difficult. With this new government act. Last year the government

decided to scrap planning permission decided to scrap planning pdrmission

for converting office blocks into flats, they aim to increase

London's affordable housing stock. The Merrimack aims to create

London's affordable housing stock. The Merrimack aims to creatd 42 000

The Merrimack aims to create 42,000 new homes each year for the next ten

years. Just 25,000 are being delivered. Since the new planning

delivered. Since the new pl`nning scheme was introduced last year

delivered. Since the new planning scheme was introduced last xear 1%

scheme was introduced last year 1% of office space in the capital has

been converted for residential of office space in the capital has

been converted for residential use, mostly in Islington, Richmond and

Barnet. Where there are derelict Barnet. Where there are derdlict

sites there is nothing better than having the site reused and occupied

so we do not have derelict buildings left to waste. Landlords

themselves, where they are finding that the rest is being utilised,

will benefit. `` not being ttilised. will benefit. `` not being utilised.

Others say it is pushing out local businesses. The value of new flats

is so high that it is in landlords' interest to try to evict ch`rities

to make way for flats. It equates interest to try to evict charities

to make way for flats. It equates to 3000 jobs. Businesses and charities

will have to find alternative premises of this building converts

into housing. So far in Islington premises of this building converts

into housing. So far in Islhngton 70 offices have been given the go`ahead

to convert. Many have been occupied rather than vacant. This is one of

them. Redevelopment here is well under way. It is believed

one`bedroom flats are being marketed for most ?400,000. Islington,

Richmond, Lambeth and Camden have unsuccessfully challenged the new

planning rules in court. Thd government says it is disappointing

government funds are being tsed government says it is disappointing

government funds are being used to oppose new homes in the caphtal

oppose new homes in the capital. The head of the Metropolitan Police

has described the murder of an American journalist I Islamhc

has described the murder of an American journalist I Islamic State

militants as barbaric. He said he was putting plans in place to keep

people safe but he admitted it would be a challenge if hundreds of

British fighters in Iraq and Syria came back wanting to commit

terrorist acts here. I have said publicly and I repeat today that

people, fairly straightforw`rd publicly and I repeat today that

people, fairly straightforward to people, fairly straightforward to

resolve, but if hundreds of people should arrive back together in this

country with a common intent to hurt people, that is quite a challenge.

155 people have been arrestdd people, that is quite a challenge.

155 people have been arrested ahead 155 people have been arrestdd ahead

of this weekend's Notting Hill of this weekend's Notting Hhll

Carnival. The pre`emptive operation by the police continue todax, aimed

by the police continue today, aimed at keeping gang members awax

by the police continue todax, aimed at keeping gang members away from

at keeping gang members awax from the event. Guns, cash and drugs have

all been seized. Police want to trace a woman who may

have witnessed a brutal attack Police want to trace a woman who may

have witnessed a brutal att`ck which left a man in a, `` a coma.

It is believed the victim m`y never It is believed the victim m`y never

wake up. He has been in this state for seven weeks. Doctors say

wake up. He has been in this state for seven weeks. Doctors sax the

for seven weeks. Doctors say the damage to his brain is irreparable.

He is a loving care free guide damage to his brain is irreparable.

He is a loving care free guhde who likes to enjoy himself. His aunt is

a nurse and knows only too well what the future may hold even if he does

come round from a coma. She says his mother, two brothers and fotr

sisters live in Zimbabwe. It has been difficult for them being so far

away and difficult for her to tell them the truth. This morning when

she phoned me I had to be cheerful for his sake. You personally

she phoned me I had to be cheerful for his sake. You personallx think

for his sake. You personally think he may never recover? I belheve in

prayer and we are praying and I am praying God's will will be done. He

praying God's will will be done He was in the park in north London

before he was attacked on Jtne 0 before he was attacked on June 30

and later was walking around this area. It was 1am on Monday lorning.

That would not have been many people around but two police officdrs came

around but two police officers came across a man in Wood Green. He was

suffering from severe facial injuries. He was taken to hospital.

It is thought he had been punched, fell and hit his head. It h`s

It is thought he had been ptnched, fell and hit his head. It has been

It is thought he had been punched, fell and hit his head. It h`s been a

fell and hit his head. It has been a very difficult investigation. We

have had no account from the victim. We are concentrating on CCTV

evidence which has led us to arrest a male who is on bail to thd

evidence which has led us to arrest a male who is on bail to the police.

a male who is on bail to thd police. And to identify the female, to be no

was with the victim prior to him being assaulted. `` who we know.

This is the woman the policd being assaulted. `` who we know

This is the woman the police are This is the woman the police are

trying to trace. His mother is trying to get a visa to visht

trying to trace. His mother is trying to get a visa to visit the

trying to trace. His mother is trying to get a visa to visht the UK

trying to get a visa to visit the UK and visit him in hospital.

Essex schoolboy fined for taking a tent on holiday to villages dying

grandfather. And we meet thd tent on holiday to villages dying

grandfather. And we meet the clergy grandfather. And we meet thd clergy

inspiring the congregation with comedy.

People travelling from the United Arab Emirates are being

warned not to visit certain parts of London because they are dangerous.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE has released

a map showing the hotspots, including Oxford Street,

But the Metropolitan Police has condemned the warning,

saying tourists have no reason to avoid the areas.

Well, Marc Ashdown is in Edgware Road for us this evdning.

Are they heeding the warnings, there? That is the question.

Thousands of UAE citizens come to London for business and pleasure

London for business and ple`sure every year. Now they have a warning,

an official website giving them details of areas, danger zones they

should avoid. If we look at the website, we have translated it

because it is in Arabic, thd red because it is in Arabic, the red

Banner translates as, "very dangerous". Areas to avoid include

Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Chrcus, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus,

Soho and Edgware Road, wherd I am Soho and Edgware Road, wherd I am

now. You could be mugged or attacked if you are a UAE citizen, it says.

There is a yellow warning for areas like Shepherd's Bush and Baxswater.

This has not come out of nowhere. In April, three UAE citizens wdre

attacked in a hotel room in Marble Arch. A few weeks later, a couple

were mugged at gunpoint in Paddington. There is a sense, the

advice is that UAE citizens because of their wealthy parents cotld be

seen as easy targets. How has The seen as easy targets. How h`s The

Met responded? This is not the high point in diplomatic relations. The

Met says no area of London should be considered unsafe. They say that

these two crimes were shocking but they are very rare. They sax London

is one of the safest major cities in the world. They are also a bit

nonplussed that they were used as a source for the advice. They say it

has not come from them and they must have used the crime mapping data

provided. They give a range of tips and guidance on how to stay safe in

London. But this has had a bit of traction on social media with some

people already saying they are people already saying they `re

concerned. I guess we will see over the coming months whether that

transfers into visitor numbers transfers into visitor numbdrs

dropping off. The parents of a schoolboy

from Essex have been fined because they took him on holiday with his

dying grandfather during term`time. 13`year`old Alfie Cannon,

from Basildon, missed two weeks of lessons after going on

the family trip to Malta ` without His family say it may have been his

last holiday with his grandfather Alfie Cannon enjoys what is left of

the school holidays. His summer the school holidays. His sulmer

break has been longer than most break has been longer than lost

because his parents took him to because his parents took him to

Malta. Were you worried abott Malta. Were you worried about

missing a bit of school? Not really. I was more worried about losing my

grandad. He has got an illndss and grandad. He has got an illness and

it could have been his last holiday. I had a great time with my Nan and

grandad. They spoiled me a bit but they always do. I hope it is not our

last holiday with him. 70`year`old last holiday with him. 70`ydar`old

George Mills was diagnosed with bowel cancer two years ago and

George Mills was diagnosed with bowel cancer two years ago `nd it

has spread. His family don't know how long he have left which is why

they believe Alfie should h`ve been they believe Alfie should h`ve been

given permission to go to Malta given permission to go to M`lta

during term time. But he wasn't, and during term time. But he wasn't and

his dad, Trevor, and his mum have his dad, Trevor, and his mum have

each received a ?60 penalty notice from Essex County Council. H

each received a ?60 penalty notice from Essex County Council. I will

from Essex County Council. H will pay the fine. I'm not worried

from Essex County Council. I will pay the fine. I'm not worridd about

pay the fine. I'm not worried about that. The thing I am trying to get

is, what kind of... What principle is, what kind of... What prhnciple

have we got to have to take him out of school, when his grandad is

terminally ill? They are trying of school, when his grandad is

terminally ill? They are trxing to tell me what I can do with my own

son. It is wrong. Former Edtcation son. It is wrong. Former Education

Secretary Michael Gove, seen here on a visit to Essex, got tough on terms

on holidays and now it is only allowed by headteachers in

exceptional circumstances. But it is controversial. This city banker and

his wife are fighting the fine in his wife are fighting the fhne in

court. Alfie is a pupil at Basildon Academy. A spokesman for the

Department for Education sahd it Academy. A spokesman for thd

Department for Education said it is Department for Education sahd it is

up to headteachers to decide on up to headteachers to decide on

individual cases. Alfie is not the first person this has happened to

and it won't be the last unless they set some kind of guideline to say

what is and what is not a special circumstance. Alfie just hopes this

holiday with his grandad was not the last.

A London comedian says he's on a mission from God to make

He says almost 50 members of the clergy have now attended his

free comedy course, which tdaches vicars the art of telling jokes.

And it's now set to expand, as Gareth Furby reports.

The congregation is about to hear a sermon with a difference,

because the vicar has been learning how to be a stand`up comedi`n.

There is a long tradition of Christians doing comedy

and our opening hymn referenced that, Stand Up For Jesus.

This is why I need lessons, isn't it?

The vicar's name is Ravi Holi and he has been working that into his set.

Some people have been so preoccupied with the fact that I

am Mr Holy the vicar, they do not notice the Italian connection.

The workshop is being held in North London.

The organiser is a comedian called Bently Browning

You do not want to be upsetting the bishop or your congregation

He says as a Christian he jtst wants to help the church.

I do not want Christianity to fall behind because it is boring.

In Ascot is another course graduate, but going for laughs can be tricky.

The story about the rabbits seemed to go down jolly well.

Then the deliberate confusion between the Madonna and Madonna

the pop star, "I made it through the wilderness, somehow I m`de it

That would have been a better story with a teenage congregation.

It is a lesson in choosing your material for your audience.

I think Jesus himself told jokes. I think the thing about the c`mel

going through the via Veneto, originally, people would have

laughed out the absurdity. `` through the eye of the needle.

Back in Kent, how did the comedy elements go down there?

It is like that other old joke, I used to be conceited

It is a good way to put things across.

I am not here to make peopld laugh, it is serious.

But tomorrow, the vicar called Holy will do his first stand`up gig.

And the best material may wdll be used in his sermons.

Music lovers in the capital have no shortage of festivals to choose from

at this time of year but none has the same historic setting as

Greenwich music time. `` Greenwich Greenwich music time. `` Greenwich

Music Time. It is held at the old Royal Naval College, with performers

Royal Naval College, with pdrformers including Jules Holland and

Goldfrapp. Set on the banks of the River Thames

and flanked by the towers of the old Royal Naval College, the stage is

set for a new London Festiv`l. We set for a new London Festiv`l. We

have four nights of live music in a fabulous setting. We look to the

venue and we try to create something that worked with the venue, rather

than planting a stage in thd middle than planting a stage in thd middle

and hoping it would work. We are and hoping it would work. Wd are

trying to bring people to the venue that have not been here before.

Designed in the 16 90s by Sir Designed in the 16 90s by Shr

Christopher Wren, the old Royal Naval College was a hospital for old

or injured sailors. Now it is a or injured sailors. Now it hs a

hugely popular visitor retraction, hugely popular visitor retr`ction,

and also seen in the back ground of many feature films. We have been

18th century Paris in film`lacro a couple of years ago, literally just

here, with the stockade. We have been Burley and in the Muppets

movie. We were Greenwich in the four movie. We have had all kinds of

other movies in the past. Fhlming other movies in the past. Filming

started here in 1958. This weekend's event hopes to draw 5000

weekend's event hopes to dr`w 5 00 people. Visitors will see Goldfrapp

performing her only London show, as performing her only London show as

well as the tribute act, the well as the tribute act, thd

Australian Pink Floyd, who plan to do something special to mark the

significance of the festival location. We are playing meeting

location. We are playing medting Floyd song, Time. We would like the

audience to get their mobild Floyd song, Time. We would like the

audience to get their mobild phones out all the old analog alarm clocks,

out all the old analog alarl clocks, hold them up and get the alarms

hold them up and get the al`rms going along with the sound effects

to start the song. The venue is fantastic, open`air, ancient

history, English. And it contrasts with the city across the water. It

should be good. I like the open air and it is not too big. It is very

historic. Organisers hope the event will give visitors the opportunity

to see historic Greenwich from a unique perspective.

How is it looking? Certainly a chill in the air. Not as windy today,

temperatures on a par with yesterday. The top values, getting

up to 19 in London. We still have not managed 20. 16 in the hills in

not managed 20. 16 in the hhlls in high Wycombe which must have felt a

little cool. But we had mord little cool. But we had mord

sunshine today, starting off bright and sunny, and if you raise the

temperature a few degrees, the shower clouds will develop but most

of them have steered away. There is a small chance of a light shower

here and there this evening but they will soon clear away. Overnight, dry

with clear skies, quite chilly in the countryside, down to 5 degrees.

A coolest art to tomorrow but nice A coolest art to tomorrow btt nice

and bright and sunny. The best of and bright and sunny. The best of

the sunshine in the morning. It will be dry. More cloud arriving in the

afternoon which could bring one or two showers from the North West. It

will be later in the day before we see significant showers.

Temperatures will be 17`19. No significant change. Tomorrow evening

and tomorrow night, we will see a lot more cloud which will produce

more showers, some of which could be quite heavy. With more of a breeze,

it will not be as cold tomorrow night. We will start with a few

heavy showers on Friday. They night. We will start with a few

heavy showers on Friday. Thdy should clear away by the rush hour. The

wind direction will change to the North West. It will be later in the

day before we see significant showers. Temperatures will be 17`19.

showers. Temperatures will be 1 `19. No significant change. Tomorrow

evening and tomorrow night, we will see a lot more cloud which will

produce more showers, some of which could be quite heavy. With more of a

could be quite heavy. With lore of a breeze, it will not be as cold

tomorrow night. We will start with a few heavy showers on Friday. They

should clear away by the rush`hour. The wind direction will change to

the north`west and the sunshine will come through. Eventually, the cool

breezes will blow in some showers but it will be late in the day

before we see those. With a bit of luck, 20 degrees is within reach. On

Saturday, high pressure will kill off the showers. Hopefully some

sunshine before the rain arrives from the rest. Very few showers in

the next few days, some sunshine for a while on Sunday and we may get

a while on Sunday and we max get some rain on Monday and it is the

some rain on Monday and it hs the Notting Hill

The main news headlines, there has been worldwide condemnation of the

video of the beheading of J`mes video of the beheading of James

Foley by an Islamic extremes. His killer appears to have a British

killer appears to have a Brhtish accent. Doctors say the growing

resistance to antibiotics could be behind the increasing number of

people dying from sepsis, the result of blood poisoning. Israel has

resumed air strikes in Gaza, which it says are in response to more

it says are in response to lore rocket fire from the Palestinians.

In Gaza, thousands of mourndrs have In Gaza, thousands of mourndrs have

taken to the street for the burial of the wife and baby son of a

Hammersmith Richeze, who were killed in an Israeli air strike. `` Hamas

military chief. 51 people who died in the Marchioness tragedy on the

Thames have been remembered in a service marking the 25th anniversary

of the disaster. They died after the of the disaster. They died after the

pleasure yacht collided with a dredger and sank. Northwick Park

Hospital in north`west London has been criticised for poor standards

by the health watchdog. That is it. I will be back later during the ten

o'clock news but for now, from everyone on the team, have ` lovely

everyone on the team, have a lovely evening. Goodbye.

We've got factory boys and butchers' apprentices and office clerks

Don't stop moving! If you go back you'll die!

anybody who comes to your house is not a guest, but he's God.

Have somebody play bagpipe at the airport to welcome you? Possible.

Whichever car you like, with Wi-Fi inside? Possible.

Can I get you a pink elephant? I'll try!

See, the Indian philosophy dictates that