29/08/2014 BBC London News

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Tonight on BBC London News. Police stage daily raids to

tackle the issue of Roma gypsies who keep returning to the West

tackle the issue of Roma gypsies who keep returning to the Wdst End

to sleep rough on the streets. I'll have nothing in Romani` `

I'll have nothing in Romania ` at least here I have money, food.

We look at whether tough policing and new legislation is workhng

and new legislation is working and the economic plight

of the people involved. Also ahead.

As the Government raises the terror threat to severe `

we find out what it'll mean for security around the caphtal

for security around the capital. Causing a parking fury `

the traffic warden issuing tickets to motorists whilst parked

on double yellow lines. Plus `

Shortly arriving at Kings Cross ` a two`day festival telling ts what

life was like in Roman London. Good evening, welcome to BBC London

News with me Riz Lateef. Police said they are then daily

raids around the West End to tackle the number of Roma gypsies sleeping

rough. The government has brought in new legislation to make it dasier

rough. The government has brought in new legislation to make it easier to

new legislation to make it dasier to move them on and if they have a

criminal record, send them home. The criminal record, send them home The

police and homeless charities criminal record, send them home. The

police and homeless charitids see police and homeless charitids see

the same people coming back year after year.

It is 4am in this underpass near Park Lane and these rough sleepers,

mostly Roma gypsies are abott to Park Lane and these rough sleepers,

mostly Roma gypsies are about to be mostly Roma gypsies are abott to be

woken up. Understandably they are woken up. Understandably they are

not too pleased, but for many it is not new. It happened last ydar,

not too pleased, but for many it is not new. It happened last year, the

not new. It happened last ydar, the year before and the year before

that. TRANSLATION: I have nothing in

Romania, why should I go back there? At least here we have pounds and

food. This operation is a

multi`organisation effort to tackle tagging in the capital. There are

officers collecting intelligence, to speak to these people, check on

their welfare and see if thdy are their welfare and see if they are

offending. Many local residdnts offending. Many local residents

welcomed the action and say it is time to stop this recurring problem.

It drags down an area that should be a showpiece for London, so it

affects all those who have businesses there, who work and

affects all those who have businesses there, who work `nd live

businesses there, who work and live there and even visitors to the

area. This morning The Met identified around 80 rough sleepers

around marble arch and Park Lane. They have been brought to this

Administration point where they will be assessed and then passed on to

immigration officials to see if be assessed and then passed on to

immigration officials to sed if they immigration officials to see if they

have a criminal record and determine how long they have been you. If any

of them have been here for over three months and are not employed or

proved they are looking for a job, they could be sent home. Regulations

introduced in January means they could be banned from re`entering

introduced in January means they could be banned from re`entdring the

UK for 12 months. But the city of UK for 12 months. But the chty of

Westminster Council told us: Everyone this morning was offered a

free trip back to Romania. This lady is the only one who voluntedred to

take it. TRANSLATION: I came to find my

daughter. I sold everything from my house to get here to find hdr.

daughter. I sold everything from my house to get here to find her. She

is also diabetic and sleeping on the streets is taking its toll. It has

been extremely hard, I thought I might die sleeping on the p`vements.

might die sleeping on the pavements. The other migrants also movdd

might die sleeping on the p`vements. The other migrants also moved on,

The other migrants also movdd on, but only 200 metres down the

The other migrants also moved on, but only 200 metres down thd road.

No running water and no electricity in Romania, this footage shows the

kind of conditions many would have to return to. These raids are not a

long`term solution. If you are trying to break centuries of

systematic persecution and discrimination, so this will take

time. It needs help for the Roma community to come together and voice

their needs. Sleeping in doorways and packing up their lives every

their needs. Sleeping in doorways and packing up their lives dvery few

days is a small price to pay for days is a small price to pax for

living in the capital. It rdads the bleak respect of returning home.

bleak respect of returning home Coming up later: If the Thames

Coming up later: If the Thales Estuary airport is not an option,

Heathrow bosses ask the mayor to back their expansion plans.

The government has raised the terrorism threat level from

substantial too severe, meaning a terrorist attack is considered

likely in the UK. David Camdron terrorist attack is considered

likely in the UK. David Cameron said likely in the UK. David Cameron said

the change was in response to the activities of Islamic state

militants. What does this mdan for militants. What does this mean for

people in the capital? Our correspondence is in central London.

The capital city is always going to be an attract the target but

terrorists. London has had hts be an attract the target but

terrorists. London has had hts fair share of experience in the last ten

years. The commissioner of The Met police has said the prospect of

Londoners returning from fighting in Iraq and Syria is his greatdst

Iraq and Syria is his greatest concern. I spoke earlier to a

security expert who explained concern. I spoke earlier to a

security expert who explaindd the raising of the security threat is

significant. We are the second highest threat level this country

has been exposed to. It is the first time it has been raised to this

level for three years. Therd is time it has been raised to this

level for three years. There is a level for three years. There is a

significant threat to us, especially in London where terrorists will see

an opportunity by executing an attack here. We need to adhdre to

an opportunity by executing an attack here. We need to adhere to do

this threat level by taking it seriously and that accordingly.

Following on from that, how will it affect Londoners? The most likely

impact will be the increased visibility of police and security

services. It not only serves to deter would be terrorists but

services. It not only serves to deter would be terrorists btt it

will reassure the public and make people feel safer. We can expect the

police to make their presence felt, across the transport network by

example. And around some of London's main attractions and

landmarks, not least the City of London of course any place which

could be deemed a target. We are likely to face some restrictions,

check points and searches and possible disruption if therd are

possible disruption if there are security alerts. It is diffhcult

possible disruption if therd are security alerts. It is difficult to

security alerts. It is diffhcult to say how else the day`to`day life of

most Londoners will be impacted by this increased security threat.

most Londoners will be impacted by this increased security thrdat. The

main repercussions are likely to be felt by the government and by

security services. Londoners in poorer areas are being

disadvantaged by a lack of public transport and that makes it harder

for them to get a job. According to a new report from Labour melbers

for them to get a job. According to a new report from Labour members on

the London assembly. It found those living in deprived areas find it

hardest to access transport. But City Hall disagrees.

This is North Peckham, one of London's poorer areas. Until

recently the buses here were not very good. After a campaign, it has

got another service. How do you find the buses? It could be bettdr, but

not so bad. Is it OK? They have got better since they gave us a second

one. It is easier for those who live here to get to work although they

still want more buses. For every still want more buses. For dvery

improvement we get, we get another improvement we get, we get another

estate held with 400 people living in it so it is a denser population.

Areas like this with high`ddnsity Areas like this with high`ddnsity

housing and deprivation can suffer from poor transport. Perhaps better

links like tube stations drive up links like tube stations drhve up

property costs pricing out lower earnings will stop it would be very

easy to improve the life ch`nces earnings will stop it would be very

easy to improve the life ch`nces are people in poorer areas, particularly

on the council estates by putting additional bus services in,

increasing the services of some and giving them additional link`ges so

they can find work and easily get access to education and training.

access to education and trahning. This report highlights how there was

a huge increase in the network from 2000 to 2012. Was a 38% increase, up

to 480 million kilometres. Now that increase has stalled and thd target

increase has stalled and the target to 2020 is just for a 4% increase.

City Hall recognises transport regeneration is key to unlocking

jobs and says it is investing in new projects. TEFL claims 90% of

Londoners lived within 400 metres of a bus stop. In inner London,

generally has better public transport and services and better

access to other services. Wd believe the network reflect dingbats,

recognising there are pockets access is not as good and example of

Peckham is an area where we have tried to fill some of those gaps.

Why London's bus service was recently called the best in Britain,

this report hopes to start the debate on how transport grows and

how it can be used to tackld deprivation in the capital. A

20`year`old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by

dangerous driving at a 16`year`old boy was killed in Hemel Hampstead.

Vaz and Ahmed died after thd Vaz and Ahmed died after thd

collision in Jupiter Drive last Friday. Police say they are still

questioning the subject `` suspect. The Queen's former doctor h`s

The Queen's former doctor has launched a High Court battld

The Queen's former doctor h`s launched a High Court battle against

plans to build a new cancer centre at Saint Barts hospital. He says the

plans are not in keeping with the rest of the site.

We could be days away from finding out if Boris Johnson's idea for a

new airport in the Thames Estuary will live to fight another day. To

date, Heathrow bosses have written an open letter to the mayor saying

if his idea does not happen, could he back their plans for exp`nsion?

Heathrow this afternoon, the Heathrow this afternoon, thd

country's biggest airport and the country's busiest airport and today,

the country 's macro cheekiest airport. No secret they want a third

runway and no secret the mayor wants a new airport in the Thames Estuary.

He said if they get it, there would be a new neighbourhood for London.

This man is expected to ruld be a new neighbourhood for London.

This man is expected to rule on This man is expected to ruld on

whether the plan should go forward to a final share `` short list.

to a final share `` short lhst. Today, a letter from Heathrow's

loss. It reads: `` boss. It was a letter helpfully

made public. We are reminding him today over the many things he has

said about what the right and is a is for UK competitiveness. That is a

hub airport. We are just johning is for UK competitiveness. That is a

hub airport. We are just joining up hub airport. We are just joining up

the dots and saying if the Thames Estuary does not get short listed,

therefore logically, we would hope you would back Heathrow. So you are

just being helpful? Absolutely. No just being helpful? Absolutely. No

interview from City Hall, btt just being helpful? Absolutdly. No

interview from City Hall, but they interview from City Hall, btt they

did say they thought the estuary airport remained the most credible

option. But the mayor has gone on record in the past by saying if we

does not get his airport, hd would like to see expansion at Atoyac and

not Heathrow. No reminding the mayor or offering helpful advice from

Gatwick, just this in their own statement about the estuary

The public relations game is afoot and the decision itself is dxpected

and the decision itself is expected early next week.

On that note, we do expect an On that note, we do expect `n

announcement very soon? Not entirely sure when. City Hall don't know,

they just said very soon. The best guest is it will be on Tuesday and

we will know whether the tile, guest is it will be on Tuesday and

we will know whether the time, money and the energy the mayor has spent

on it will be worthwhile. It is one of the big projects the mayor has

stuck his neck out on. He h`s pushed very hard. If he does not get it,

stuck his neck out on. He has pushed very hard. If he does not gdt it, it

very hard. If he does not get it, it will be very embarrassing. But there

is a twist to this tale, but there is something going on in his life at

the moment. He is trying to be BMP for Oxbridge and South Ruislip.

Right on the edge of Heathrow. `` BMP. He can then go to Heathrow and

say, you good people over here, BMP. He can then go to Heathrow and

say, you good people over hdre, I say, you good people over here, I

will not close down your airport and I will back Gatwick option because

that works best for me, so xou I will back Gatwick option because

that works best for me, so you will that works best for me, so xou will

not get any more flights over your not get any more flights over your

head. Out of a defeat, a man they call a lucky politician might live

up to that reputation. Still to come to night: The National

baseball finals this weekend, we look at the increasing popularity of

the American sport in London. Antiquity in a modern setting.

Boudicca takes on the Romans in King's Cross.

It is fair to say people get hot under the collar when it comes

It is fair to say people get hot under the collar when it coles to

getting a parking ticket. Ilagine you receive on by a traffic warden

in a CCTV vehicle parked on double yellow lines. That is what happened

in Hackney, but the council says the vehicle has to stop in order to a

dangerous junction. It is simple, double yellow lines

mean no stopping at any time. Not mean no stopping at any timd. Not

for this traffic warden. Residents complain he is part appear hssuing

motorists with penalty charges. The council said they are enforcing this

is no Right turn but the residents complain of this car often being

part of the double yellow lhne. complain of this car often being

part of the double yellow line. They part of the double yellow line. They

say it is cheeky and hypocrhtical. say it is cheeky and hypocrhtical.

How can you do someone for breaking traffic regulation if you are

breaking it yourself? I am sure the council have given him an exemption

as long as he takes the money. council have given him an exemption

as long as he takes the mondy. The as long as he takes the money. The

council did say in a statemdnt: If residents thought it was too

much, it could be worse. This much, it could be worse. This

motorist was fined after his car had been crumpled white falling tree in

a storm. He for queueing in traffic, thd warden

said he was parked in the wrong place. The government has promised

to ban these CCTV tickets from the autumn and there will be no cars

like this at any time either. Time for the weekend sport with

Sara Orchard. And along with the usual suspects,

you've got some baseball for us. The first usual suspect is

the Queens Park Rangers man`ger He's dismissed reports he mhght get

sacked after opening Redknapp successfully led the

West London side back into the Premier League last season

via the Championship playoffs. Speaking at a news conference ahead

of Saturday's Premier League home game against Sunderland,

he said he'd been offered a new two`year contract and talk `bout

his future was "absolute rubbish". Maybe today or tomorrow, wh`tever.

Tony has offered me an extension of two years and I will sign it. I have

not read it, I probably will just sign it.

Well, QPR hosting Sunderland is live on the BBC London website.

Meanwhile, on BBC London 94.9, you can hear full commentary of Neil

Warnock's first match in ch`rge of Crystal Palace away at Newcastle.

Whilst on BBC London digital radio, you can hear West Ham

And a quick mention of Tottenham Hotspur, still at the top

And a 3`nil win over Cypriot side AEL Limassol last night gavd them

a 5`1 aggregate victory, and they're safely through to

Today, they were drawn in Pool C, along with Serbian side Partizan

Belgrade, Greek club Asteras Tripolis and Turkish team Besiktas.

Last night, two Londoners hdlped the British women's sprint relay

team to a new national record for the second time in 11 d`ys.

Desiree Henry and Asha Philip teamed up with

Ashleigh Nelson and Annyika Onuora to be crowned European champions,

with a time of 42.21 seconds, at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich.

That was frightening! A lot to my left and my right and I thought,

left and my right and I thotght these are the quickest girls in the

world. But I consider myself one of them and I knew they would put me in

a position to get around smoothly. Now a sport we don't mention

often in London, baseball. Whilst players in America can earn

millions of dollars a year, the London Mets and the Essdx

Arrows aren't quite in that league. But as the two teams prepare to

play each other in the national finals this weekend, there `re even

more people taking up the sport. Emma Jones has been to Finsbury Park

to find out more. It might not be on the biggdst stage

and it might not attract the big and it might not attract thd big

money baseball gets another parts of the world, at here in Finsbury Park,

the world, at here in Finsbtry Park, the London Mets making sure they are

as ready as they can for national finals. I have been up and down so

to be going to the finals is really exciting. I cannot wait to get to it

on Saturday. The London Mets will take on the Essex Arrows in South

Bucks. The first purpose`built take on the Essex Arrows in South

Bucks. The first purpose`buhlt venue in the UK for baseball, evidence the

sport is putting roots in the South East. At Wembley, this is Churchill

greets members of the American and Canadian forces in a baseball match.

There have always been plenty of fans to watch the game but there are

now more adult teams playing than at any other time in the last 20 years.

Promoters believe it is because they Promoters believe it is because they

are giving potential teams support and funding. I believe it is the

most important thing we can do for the sport to generate a comlunity

most important thing we can do for the sport to generate a community of

the sport to generate a comlunity of people that are interested, playing,

involved and that can help ts reach involved and that can help ts reach

the next level. To make this sport what it could be in this cotntry. So

what it could be in this country. So how to find those players? Perhaps

baseball will be something they have grown up with or perhaps thdy

baseball will be something they have grown up with or perhaps they will

grown up with or perhaps thdy will just be inspired by seeing others

playing it in a London park. A lot of players are walking by and they

see it and they hear there is a team see it and they hear there hs a team

so they start playing. There is a so they start playing. There is a

programme, you can come down and just start playing. Some of this

team could also be part of the British side heading to the European

Championships next month. So from grassroots to the top level,

baseball will be hoping for even more good news in the future.

baseball will be hoping for even more good news in the futurd.

And before I go, congratulations to Enfield's Charlotte DuJardin.

The double Olympic equestri`n dressage champion has added to

Along with her horse Valegro, they won their first

Freestyle Dressage world title in France this afternoon.

They performed to the music from the Disney Dreamworks film How

DuJardin had already lifted the Grand Prix Special titld

I'm all out so, Riz, it's back to you.

The modern concourse of one of our busiest stations gives us no

clues about the important role Kings Cross played in ancient times.

Well, this weekend, Granary Square will be transformed into a roman

village, complete with gladhators and centurions, for a two`day

The Romans would dare to callers dogs on this date we make London our

own again! `` to call us. In this modern setting, characters from

antiquity almost 2,000 years ago. Starring Kim this battle at the

weekend, taking vengeance on the Romans. This is very much legend but

it is said Boadicea staged her last battle here and is buried between

battle here and is buried bdtween the platforms nine and ten at King's

Cross station. A good spot for a place of the theatrical

re`enactment. `` a piece of. And a chance to learn how the Romans

lived. Teaching people about the ideal Roman home, and how to build a

Roman building, and a Roman central heating system. Roman style and make

up, and hair. That is pure marble. Stick it on your tablet. I have the

latest tablet. They will do in Rome in a day in Granary Square. There

will be Roman inspired films and it is all free. That is King's Cross.

We will be here from... 11 o'clock till five o'clock. On Saturday and

Sunday. Time for a look at the weekend

weather. She is smiling! It and smiling for once! All the

other `` the weather looks like it will behave itself. I cannot promise

wall`to`wall sunshine or th`t it wall`to`wall sunshine or that it

will be entirely dry. In the sunshine, it should feel

pleasantly warm. A lot of cloud around this afternoon. It is

speckled, there have been gaps around this afternoon. It is

speckled, there have been gaps in the cloud. The cloud is fairly solid

and if you are going out thhs and if you are going out thhs

evening, the chances are by the time you come home, there will be showers

you come home, there will bd showers around. The sun will linger towards

the end of the night, a breezy and a the end of the night, a bredzy and a

mild night with lows of 14, 15. Saturday, still showers to the South

and East first thing but thd morning and East first thing but thd morning

should see those clearing quickly should see those clearing qtickly

and bright and sunny spells. By the afternoon, the risk of scattered

showers into the far North. A lot of fine weather on Saturday and a

lighter winds, highs of 20, 20 1 degrees. `` lighter winds. Sunday is

the most promising day, because of the most promising day, because of

this high`pressure from the South. But it is only around for Stnday.

That pressure will make for a lot of fine weather, very unlucky to see

showers on Sunday. Highs of 22, 23. Back to that pressure chart, some

indication of what we expect early next week. That weather front from

the North will linger on Monday and Tuesday. Thick clouds to start the

Tuesday. Thick clouds to st`rt the new week and outbreaks of rain,

Tuesday. Thick clouds to start the new week and outbreaks of r`in, that

will have a knock`on effect on the temperatures. Amongst that, to the

North, high pressure is building. For the second half of the week

ahead, that brings more sunshine and it could be surprisingly warm by

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, temperatures in the mid`20s.

Sounds good! The UK's terror threat level has

been raised The Home Secretary, Theresa May

announced the change in response to Police say the battery is likely to

be flat, for the feeding system of a missing five`year`old boy who

needs urgent medical care. Ashya King was taken by his parents,

from Southampton Hospital without Police are staging raids to tackle

the issue of gypsies in the capital following the complaints from

residents. Westminster Council is calling for tougher legislation to

clamp down on them. That is it, have a good evening. Plenty more on the

website. Have a lovely weekdnd.