30/09/2013 BBC London News

Tonight on BBC London News: The thousands of pounds, illegally

looking at £25 million of potential Our investigators have talked for

looking at £25 million of potential years of a figure. We will hear

looking at £25 million of potential one council which claims it has

looking at £25 million of potential millions and is powerless to get the

After yesterday's fire, London Duck Tours are suspended from any further

moaning Londoners for the opposition Tours are suspended from any further

moaning Londoners for the opposition Am I very disagreeable to you?

Why this stage adaptation of a Dickens story has taken almost

Good evening and welcome to the report. The BBC has been given

exclusive access to a benefit—fraud team clamping down on those who

cheat the system out of millions of pounds. Westminster City Council has

discovered some people earn up to £1,000 per week by claiming rent for

plush properties which they then offenders are caught, it is almost

impossible to recover any of the money that they illegally claimed.

Mark Jordan, from BBC London's Inside Out programme, reports.

Unlike many great cities in the world, in London, you can be on

benefits all live in a council house and have very wealthy neighbours.

For critics of welfare, this is absurd but for others, it is part of

the rich tapestry of London. But for the dishonest, it is a while since

—— a license to make thousands. Police and fraud officers gather for

a raid of the edge of the Edgeware Road. —— near the edge. Even with

the controversial housing benefit cap in place, millions of being

the controversial housing benefit out for people to live in private

apartments like this. Westminster has appointed an anti czar. Our

potentially looking at £25 million investigators have talked for years

potentially looking at £25 million of potential fraud in one local

subletting to the wealthy Edgeware dishonest asylum seekers from the

subletting to the wealthy Edgeware Road Arab community. Someone is

subletting to the wealthy Edgeware curtains. —— she shot. In some

answer the door to the police or to parts, you see a notice on the back

answer the door to the police or to say you are a family member. Only a

couple prosecuted, it takes over a year and costs thousands. This woman

was taken to court. She came to Britain as an asylum seeker and

was taken to court. She came to gave her the right to claim state

benefit from the UK government. She picked an address in a luxury

waterside complex on Edgware Road. Housing benefit paid the rent. We

went round to the property she was meant to be in and there was a

different person who had been living there for two years, and the council

had paid out £45,000 for the period she said she was living in that

flat. And she had never lived there. It took 14 months to process the

case and find her —— and to find her Anything to say about £45,000 taken?

magistrates decided to sentence Anything to say about £45,000 taken?

to 11 weeks in Britain. She does not have any assets the council can

decisions are totally to borrow rising. Even if you go to prison for

12 weeks, and you have kept several hundred pounds worth of money! A

And you can see Mark's full report on Housing Benefit fraud, on Inside

Out London, tonight at 7:30 on BBC Plenty more ahead this evening,

including: The rise in diabetes Plenty more ahead this evening,

how thousands of Londoners may not A tourist boat firm has had its

rescued from the London Duck Tours tours on the River Thames suspended

This is where the incident happened craft on Sunday afternoon by the

This is where the incident happened in front of Lambeth Bridge. The

Maritime and coastguard agency or in front of Lambeth Bridge. The

Maritime and coastguard agency or investigating and they are looking

appropriate action against the company. Three people were injured,

They have been discharged from To escape the fire, they jumped

They have been discharged from the River Thames. 30 people had

They have been discharged from on board this duck tour when it

burst into flames near the House of We saw the tour guide and captain

looked at each other, this is a We saw the tour guide and captain

trouble! And then they encouraged us to put life jackets on and to jump

I spoke to one gentleman and he to put life jackets on and to jump

getting the life jacket out was to put life jackets on and to jump

difficult that they just escaped the boat because their safety was more

Nearby boats and pleasure crafts helped with the rescue which was led

by firefighters from London 's only incident, they were faced with a

double challenge of extinguishing the fire and rescuing the people

from the river. We have specialist equipment to suck water up from

from the river. We have specialist at the same time, we had to drag

The tour company takes visitors around the centre of Britain ——

London by road and river. They use upgraded and modernised World War II

landing crafts deployed by the troops on D—day. London Duck Tours

said that it operates to the highest safety standards and it is not yet

possible to speculate on the reason for the incident. Until the cause is

established, the company will not be And tourists were back on board

Thames. Hopefully, the vehicle has again today, seemingly not concerned

reassured about it from the company been checked for safety. You feel

I read the information they gave so we will have a good time. It

I read the information they gave international business and when

I read the information they gave biggest in the country, with such an

incident on television, it does biggest in the country, with such an

The agency who granted the company a licence say they are investigating

There have been previous warnings against these unusual vehicles.

There have been previous warnings have seen a report from 2008 in

which a fire on board another doctor or vessel was detailed and a safety

review was demanded —— duck tour vessel. And there have been two

boats sunk, but that was not the separate incidents in which the

boats sunk, but that was not the same company here —— is here in

London. As for the tours here, while the investigation is ongoing, they

A man has been convicted of stealing a car after he was sprayed with

A man has been convicted of stealing is known as SmartWater while he

A man has been convicted of stealing inside the vehicle. Yafet Askale was

sprayed by the traceable liquid inside the vehicle. Yafet Askale was

Harlesden earlier this year when he broke into the car which police

Harlesden earlier this year when he set up as a trap. He was later found

with stolen property from the car, when ultra—violet lights showed

with stolen property from the car, he was covered in the SmartWater

The cost of the investigation into the so—called plebgate affair has

reached nearly £250,000. The former Chief Whip, Andrew Mitchell, was

accused of calling a Metropolitan Police officer a "pleb" outside

Downing Street last year. The Met has confirmed the mounting cost

Downing Street last year. The Met Small businesses in London are

spending thousands keeping on top of their taxes. According to research

Businesses, a quarter spend more their taxes. According to research

Businesses, a quarter spend more than five thousand pounds a year on

professionals or buying software to help calculate the correct amount.

The Federation is calling on the government for a simpler taxation

The Federation is calling on the criticised opponents of the proposed

High Speed 2 Rail Link, calling criticised opponents of the proposed

"moaning London commentators." Conservative Party Conference he was

country needed a new North—South proud to support HS2, saying the

editor, Tim Donovan, his support for the project comes with conditions.

Manchester suburb, they are making the destination signs you see on the

front of a London bus. Another perfect illustration, he says, of

how investment in London spreads benefits far a field. The Transport

Secretary said connectivity would only be beast did by high—speed

Secretary said connectivity would and he complained about moaning

Secretary said connectivity would constituency and I am tired of the

moaning London commentators who constituency and I am tired of the

pleased enough about the billions we are spending on crossrail in London

but cannot understand why the rest The Mayor said he was not one of

those but he does want guarantees of investment in the London end of

those but he does want guarantees of It is very much to the advantage of

London to be better hopped up to the great cities of the North and we

want better communications —— to be better attached to. I understand the

arguments about capacity. That is He has already called for more

tax—raising powers for City Hall but today he joined the leaders of other

Birmingham and Leeds, a cross—party Is this about broadening your own

politicians, accountable, elected public servants in the great cities

of England more of a motive to run public servants in the great cities

of England more of a motive to run policies that will generate jobs and

growth and to use the money of the taxpayers that they are spending as

conference tomorrow. Not the Cup of taxpayers that they are spending as

conference tomorrow. Not the Cup of tea for everybody, but if he is

conference tomorrow. Not the Cup of conference now, and the appearances

of the Mayor are usually eagerly Certainly by many of the party

appearances and what he says here leads to speculation about future

leadership ambitions. But there leads to speculation about future

feeling this will be more low—key this year and has been designed

feeling this will be more low—key be more low—key. There were chaotic

scenes here last year. Not only because it came after he had won a

second term as London Mayor at also afterlife —— in the afterglow of the

Conservative leadership, David Cameron will feel more relaxed

potentially about Boris Johnson being here and he is more optimistic

about the economy. And the Mayor have responded —— has responded

about the economy. And the Mayor that. He will be a team player,

Boyle, everybody moving forward together to the next election. And

just addressing a rally here. He has very much concentrated his fire

just addressing a rally here. He has Labour and the economic shipwreck,

Still to come: How Karren Brady been giving junior West Ham fans a

And I will be telling you how this renowned theatre in Islington won

the right to adapt the work of two giants of 20th—century artist data.

New figures show more than one in England. The findings from Diabetes

UK indicate the cause is largely thousands of people across the

capital may in fact have diabetes without knowing. Alice Bhandhukravi

Breakfast time for this 62—year—old without knowing. Alice Bhandhukravi

Breakfast time for this 62—year—old woman. She is careful about what she

had to make if I want to live a eats because at the age of 40,

had to make if I want to live a normal and healthy life. That is

exactly what I did. It is believed there are 80,000 people living in

London with type two diabetes and they don't even know it yet, because

it hasn't been diagnosed. Ultimately the entire NHS budget is spent on

treating the condition. People from the African Caribbean and South

Asian communities are most at risk. Bangladeshi or Pakistani origin

Asian communities are most at risk. six times more likely to develop

diabetes than white people. In London, Brent has the highest rate.

I think they should be very worried. Part of the problem is that within

communities, if everyone you know has diabetes, or somebody knows

somebody with diabetes, it becomes almost normal for that community. It

is very important, probably the biggest public—health threat that we

have in the 21st—century. An early diagnosis is key. First, fatigue and

frequent visits to the toilet are This doctor treats patients in

Lambeth and says people who are This doctor treats patients in

risk of developing diabetes, diet and lifestyle changes can really

help. If those people exercise and change their lifestyle they can

reduce their risk of developing diabetes by as much as 80%, so

lifestyle is really important. You should know your body and if you do,

you know when changes take place. When changes take place, you should

investigate it, don't leave it. Football — Arsenal manager Arsene

Wenger says he believes the Gunners can win the Premier League this

season — but insists it's ridiculous to talk about being title winners so

early. The Frenchman was talking ahead tomorrow night's Champions

League match at home to Napoli. ahead tomorrow night's Champions

club return to European competition leaders, with 15 points after six

games. The most important thing leaders, with 15 points after six

to have a good balance between because of course we want to win,

but humility as well. We have only because of course we want to win,

but humility as well. We have only played six games. To speak today

floodlights at their Edgware stadium played six games. To speak today

specifications. The Council has issued the non—league club with

specifications. The Council has enforcement notice. When it takes

effect, the Bees will have six months to demolish the stand and

three months to remove the lights or risk facing prosecution. The club

Meanwhile, West Ham are gearing risk facing prosecution. The club

for their big move to the Olympic started the process by giving junior

fans the chance to have a say on ground. They've been telling the

club's vice—chair, Karen Brady, their hopes for the future, as Sara

This morning, Karen Brady was the warm up act for chancellor George

Osborne at the Conservative Party conference. I am Karen Brady, I

Osborne at the Conservative Party company director and a mother of

two. I think I am most well known for my career in football. It might

have been the Prime Minister in Manchester watching on but last

have been the Prime Minister in it was a group of young West Ham

fans at Upton Park, invited by the vice chairwoman to discuss the move

to the Olympic Stadium. Thank you for coming. The purpose is to tell

you about our plans. Much of the detail remains confidential but

you about our plans. Much of the vice chairwoman was open to all

ideas and answered all questions. Will there be a family stand? Will

there be child tickets for executive seats? The most outstanding thing is

they want to sit together, they seats? The most outstanding thing is

to be safe, they want to enjoy the atmosphere and they want to come

early and stay later. West Ham have been praised for their approach

early and stay later. West Ham have young supporters with offers for

kids for £1 and growing their under vegetarian food available? I am

kids for £1 and growing their under vegetarian as of my religion, I

kids for £1 and growing their under seat —— I am a Sikh, there is not a

perspective, whether it be food seat —— I am a Sikh, there is not a

how they thawed visually the stadium should look. —— how they thought. It

is really exciting because of the history at the elliptic stadium

already, it is amazing that we can build on that legacy. —— at the

Olympic Stadium. The move is not until 2016 but West Ham want their

young fans to grow up and move with them on the journey to Miles West.

Now the tale of how we will finally adaptation of a Dickens novel after

nearly 80 years. A Tale Of Two Cities was made into a production

way back in 1935 by Sir Terence Rattigan and Sir John Gielgud. But

when Gielgud abandoned the lead role, the playwright refused to

when Gielgud abandoned the lead the work ever be shown. Now — thanks

theatre director — that's about the work ever be shown. Now — thanks

change, as our arts correspondent, Brenda Emmanus, reports. Won't you

sit down? Dickens, a tale of two cities, staged in a north London pub

with the characters in modern dress. This is the King said's latest

offering, inspired by the adaptation of an 1859 novel by two of British

theatre's great names, Sir John Gielgud and Terence Rattigan. The

play was never published and that really is the route to reduction,

having it out there. I stumbled across it in 2000 and 11 —— the

route to production. I stumbled across it in 2011. The actor and

playwright collaborated in 1935 across it in 2011. The actor and

the production was aborted when across it in 2011. The actor and

John Gielgud was asked to postpone it. Their production has never made

it to the stage until now. What it. Their production has never made

understood the importance of it being done for the first time and

this part adaptation sees a company important venue. And my disagreeable

this part adaptation sees a company of eight taking on 30 characters. I

wanted to give you a small wedding present. I am afraid it hardly even

deserves that now. Stephen Agnew present. I am afraid it hardly even

deserves that now. Stephen Agnew am doing the part that was intended

for Gielgud, he would have been am doing the part that was intended

for Gielgud, he would have been playing the antihero that also would

have been playing the villain of the police. —— of the peace. They are

two very different characters. John Gielgud had never written a play and

this was only Terence Rattigan's second effort. Do you think they

would have been pleased with what you have done? Yeah, I reckon. I

do, actually. Acknowledging the you have done? Yeah, I reckon. I

that this gritty 78 years old and theatrical traditions have moved on

so much, pub theatre did not exist when they wrote it, I think they

Let's get a check on the weather with Sara. At least we are far from

Dickensian weather. We do have a change as we go through the next few

days. We had quite an east—west split through the day. Always more

sunshine towards the east, always cloudier towards the West. That

sunshine towards the east, always because we have low—pressure waiting

in the Atlantic, trying to move towards us. At the moment it is

pressure. It is bringing us some quite warm weather from the near

continent and we will continue to feed that towards us in the coming

days, although we will lose the benefits of the high pressure and be

low—pressure will work towards us. We are in for some rain in the

middle of the week. There are not continue with the east—west split in

terms of cloud amounts. Always continue with the east—west split in

terms of cloud amounts. Always Temperatures staying in double

figures. Maybe around nine degrees towards the countryside. Tomorrow,

amounts. Most will turn hazy and it the split is nicely on the cloud

announce itself. A spell of rain in tries to moving from the south—west.

announce itself. A spell of rain in the middle part of the week but

dry again. Although we will start to towards the end of the week we turn

dry again. Although we will start to see chilly nights. As we go through

tomorrow night into the start of things on Wednesday, rain sweeps

up. For the rush—hour on Wednesday morning, we could have a lot of

heavy rain around. It is clearing all the time as we go through the

afternoon. Things will start to Brighton before we see the rest

afternoon. Things will start to the rain again —— will start to

brighten up. This rain could be quite heavy. No warnings in force

but we will keep you posted. For tomorrow, a really nice day in

prospect, make the most of it, we will start with rain first thing on

Wednesday. Then we have the spell of very wet weather on Thursday. On

Friday, things start to dry out A quick reminder of the headlines.

Conservative Party conference that he aims to build a budget surplus in

deficit had been paid off. The Chancellor also said he wanted to

freeze duty on fuel until the next The racing pundit, John McCririck,

discrimination against Channel and her former boyfriend, for the

murder of the 21—year—old British student Meredith Kercher. The two

but Italy's Supreme Court ordered the retrial. The racing pundit John

McCarrick has begun a case for age disc nation against Channel 4,

telling reporters he is fighting for people in via the sack because they

are growing older. —— people who New figures show more than one in

highest rate than anywhere else New figures show more than one in

England. The findings from Diabetes UK indicate the cause is largely

And a tourist boat firm has had UK indicate the cause is largely

O'clock News. Until then, from all tours on the River Thames suspended