14/07/2014 BBC London News

The Met Police's attempts to get more recruits.

Critics say the policy is unfair. The hit man who murdered a gang

leader. The businesses losing to to poor broadband.

craze from Japan coming to the capital.

Good evening and welcome to the programme.

Plans to make the Met more reflective of the city it serves

have today been outlined by the Mayor and the Police Commissioner.

For the first time in Scotland Yard's history, new

recruits will be hired excltsively from around the capital.

On parade this afternoon, tomorrow, they will be taking their fhrst

they will be taking their first steps on the capital 's strdets

They are the latest batch of new recruits, starting what will be

they hope, a long career with The Met. The Mayor of London promised to

keep numbers up to 32,000 but Met. The Mayor of London promised to

keep numbers up to 32,000 btt he has a problem, London has a population

a problem, London has a poptlation of more than 8 million, 40% of which

are from a black woman oratory ethnic background but The Met has

just 11%. Today he announced a new recruitment policy, and in `nyone

from outside of London from joining. Are you in danger of being

challenged by the courts? We Are you in danger of being

challenged by the courts? Wd will challenged by the courts? We will

see about that, we have dond a lot see about that, we have done a lot

of work with friends to makd see about that, we have dond a lot

of work with friends to make sure that it is OK and I think it will be

fine. It is for a couple of years to encourage Londoners, people from all

across the city, to think of themselves as potential polhce

themselves as potential police officers. Earlier this year The Met

Police Commissioner called for a temporary change in the law to allow

for positive discrimination, new wanted one recruit from an dthnic

minority to every white recruit, so minority to every white recruit so

finally does not have his way, this finally does not have his w`y, this

policy is halfway to achieving that. We want people from London to want

their children to join the Metropolitan Police, this is a

fantastic organisation, we police one of the world great citids. You

one of the world great cities. You are originally from Yorkshire, under

these rules you would not bd able to these rules you would not be able to

join. What we are saying is that if we have a narrow pall of skhlls

join. What we are saying is that if we have a narrow pall of skills, we

we have a narrow pall of skhlls we will still take people from if you

want to be a firearms officer, will still take people from if you

want to be a firearms officdr, a want to be a firearms officer, a

detective, a chief officer, then we are still prepared to take people

from elsewhere. The Met has a huge challenge, ever since it was branded

institutionally racist 15 years challenge, ever since it was branded

institutionally racist 15 ydars ago institutionally racist 15 years ago

it struggled to look like the people it serves and with London becoming

ever more diverse, the problem may only get worse. So the new policy

which starts next month means that only get worse. So the new policy

which starts next month means those living in the capital for at least

three of the last six years will be able to apply. It has the potential

to increase diversity, not just by way of colour, but by way of

thinking. That has got to be good thinking. That has got to be good

for the police and for our communities. Others are not so

convinced. I think it is a snub to the officers who work in Thd

convinced. I think it is a snub to the officers who work in The Met

convinced. I think it is a snub to the officers who work in Thd Met get

back into those communities, work hard at convincing them that this is

the job for them, that is the better way to go, rather than in force.

Restrictions. It is hoped the restrictions will mean a more

diverse workforce and in turn, boost confidence in policing, or at least

confidence in policing, or `t least that is what he thinks.

To discuss this I'm joined hn the studio by the chairman of the

monitoring group. And search in Haringey, and also by a forler

Haringey, and also by a former Metropolitan Police officer, and

Yorkshireman, who is in the Leeds studio. Good evening. Turning to you

first, this has already raised eyebrows. You welcome this love

first, this has already raised eyebrows. You welcome this move. It

eyebrows. You welcome this love It is a good initiative coming from The

Met, it is something I have been personally campaigning for, for

quite a number of years, to have the police, the Metropolitan Police

force reflect the community it serves. Since you will find that

black and Asian makes up ond third black and Asian makes up one third

of Londoners come of 8 millhon of Londoners come of 8 million

Londoners, I believe it is `bout Londoners, I believe it is `bout

time that the police force was reflecting that diverse comlunity

reflecting that diverse community which it serves. You served in as

Ken has said, it is trying to reflect the people it serves, but it

does also I suppose right of thousands of people who do not live

in London, what do you make of that. First of all, I should never

have been in the Metropolit`n have been in the Metropolitan

Police, I had ten fantastic years, I worked in diverse communitids in

Battersea, and got to know the community very well, it dis`ppoints

community very well, it disappoints me they are taking this verx narrow

view, within recruitment terms. Looking at just the recent

recruitment, the big questions are, 60% of the people that successfully

applied to join the Metropolitan Police, out of those 60%, 60% were

outside of London, and out of those 60%, 10% of them were people

outside of London, and out of those 60%, 10% of them were peopld from

60%, 10% of them were people from black and ethnic minority

backgrounds. I have spoken today to people from different backgrounds in

Manchester, Birmingham, in Liverpool. They would love to join

the Metropolitan Police, but now they are restricted. We are already

writing off hundreds of the very people that the Metropolitan Police

are looking to recruit. It hs a good are looking to recruit. It is a good

point, not only current serving officers who are doing a good job,

Mike would not have been in the force had these restrictions been in

place, shouldn't we be going for the best person for the job? I work

around stop and search, 1.2 million are done, we are all well aware of

the disproportionality levels, if you are black or from a

minority`owned unit you are disproportionately targeted. What my

thing is about this is what we are doing, we are giving inexperienced

police officers the most intrusive power to go and stop and search

people. And what has happened, if you have a background from outside

of the London area, you will find they are not really aware of the

sensitivities and the different cultures and the different needs and

experiences within the community. experiences within the community.

That is an interesting point, because as we heard the

commissioners say, this onlx applies to new recruits, and if this is the

only way to change the make up of the force, it has been crithcised,

the force, it has been criticised, time and time again, about his

relationship with black and ethnic communities. `` its relationship.

The Metropolitan Police havd moved The Metropolitan Police havd moved

forward very quickly. `` thd Metropolitan Police have moved

forward very quickly, we were talking about institutional racism

recently, when we did that, there was a 3% make up, now it is 11%.

Talking about stop and search, you simply cannot flick a switch and

suddenly get a lot of peopld wanting suddenly get a lot of people wanting

to join the police. The thing we need to do is get into those

communities and ask why thex are need to do is get into thosd

communities and ask why thex are not joining the police. I will tell you

for why, there is a number of key issues: Number one, coming from a

low income family, from a deprived low income family, from a deprived

background, how are you going to afford what is called the bobby tax?

Look at that, remove that. If afford what is called the bobby tax?

Look at that, remove that. If you join the police, the other thing, if

you join the police from a difficult community, where are you gohng to

live? You cannot live in that community, where are you going to

live? You cannot live in th`t very live? You cannot live in th`t very

community that you are going to police. Thank you.

It is an interesting topic `nd one we will discuss further.

We would like to hear from you on this, do you support efforts to

recruit people who reflect the ethnic diversity of London? Perhaps

you would like to work for the Metropolitan Police but you cannot

afford to live in the capit`l, an afford to live in the capital, an

issue raised by Mike. Coming up: On the up in Farnborough,

firms in the south`east gear up for a ?1 billion investment in defence.

A hit man has been jailed for at least 38 years after murdering a

gang leader and shooting his accomplice. Jamie Marsh`Smith was

hired to kill the leader of the Tottenham Turks by a arrival gang.

On a night out in a bar, and looking relaxed, but just 24 hours earlier,

relaxed, but just 24 hours darlier, Jamie Marsh`Smith had been hired to

carry out a brutal murder. His victim, the boss of the Tottenham

Turks gang. On April 18 last year, he w`s on his

way back to his home in Southgate, it was early evening, as he went

through this entrance into his block of flats, Jamie Marsh`Smith who was

waiting nearby fired seven shots, three of which hit the man in the

three of which hit the man hn the back and killed him. The gunmen then

walked to his getaway car, driven by this man, just a few weeks later, he

shot him in a part in south London because he knew the truth. His

accomplished survived the attack and today they were both sentenced to

life in prison. He was a member of a life in prison. He was a melber of a

gang called the Tottenham Turks, his gang called the Tottenham Turks, his

killer had been hired by rivals, known as the Hackney Turks. The

conflict between Turkish gangs in north London has resulted in 26 acts

of serious violence in the capital over the last five years. Today the

judge referred to it as a medieval turf war. We are waiting a direct

appeal to those who may know about the death of this man, and who hold

the information, who ordered the contract on him? To make thd call to

contract on him? To make the call to the incident room, there is a

?30,000 reward. He was shot on his doorstep just metres from his

?30,000 reward. He was shot on his doorstep just metres from hhs wife

and three today his killer was ordered to serve a minimum of 38

years in prison. A 35`year`old man from Enfield has

pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to supplying cocaine to an

undercover reporter from the sun on undercover reporter from the sun on

Sunday. Michael Combs, also known as Mike GLC, is also on trial with a

former X factor judge. It is London's fastest growing text zone,

which the mayor hopes will one day rival silicon valley in the US.

There are concerned that businesses around the so`called Silicon

roundabout in east London are suffering from of all things

Internet connection. The Federation of Small Businesses and that one

third of businesses in the `rea are third of businesses in the area are

without high`speed ball ran. `` are without high`speed broadband.

Politicians have thrown thelselves at London's booming tech city

businesses but here, at perseverance works, a creative hub of 89 small

businesses in east London, they say they have suffered years of poor

Internet service. Very good at PR, in the small businesses arotnd

Silicon roundabout, but what they have not been good at is setting in

place really good solid infrastructure. The businesses in

this historic news range from marketing start`ups to `` mdws.

marketing start`ups to `` mews. Affordable broadband is vit`l, this

Affordable broadband is vital, this area has got more job creathon than

area has got more job creation than anywhere else, as I underst`nd it,

in the UK. The broadband is not available to small start`up

businesses unless you are prepared to commit to a long`term contract at

vast expense. Business lobby group vast expense. Business lobby group

the Federation of Small Bushnesses the Federation of Small Businesses

says the government is not being ambitious enough when it coles to

superfast Internet access. It is superfast Internet access. Ht is

vital for UK business and jobs. The government points to help the ``

healthy competition, and a new government voucher, worth ?3000, to

help with installation fees. We have allocated up to ?25 million to

London and issued hundreds of vouchers to businesses in London and

I would urge businesses to get in touch and find out about this

touch and find out about thhs programme, to get the vouchers,

touch and find out about this programme, to get the vouchdrs, if

programme, to get the vouchers, if they do not think there are

broadband is good enough and they think they cannot afford the

connection charges. Silicon roundabout here in east London is at

the heart of the city 's fast`growing tech start`up

community, but some small businesses community, but some small businesses

here and across the UK say they still cannot get access to

affordable truly high`speed Internet. And that is preventing

them from growing, innovating and employing.

Police have begun a search for human remains in a garden in Finsbury Park

in North London. It was prolpted in North London. It was prompted

after officers were informed of allegations dating back 30 xears.

allegations dating back 30 years. Why exactly have they startdd this

Why exactly have they started this search now?

Came one year ago, last Julx, they spent the last 12 months trying to

firm up that information, it is only now that they say that it is

appropriate to excavate the garden to find out if there could be human

remains. You can see how the gardens remains. You can see how thd gardens

have been sealed off with this friends attend but actually it is

this property, number 11, that they are interested in. Police have

stressed the current occupidrs are stressed the current occupidrs are

not related to this enquiry. It is something they believe took place

around 30 years ago. All day we have around 30 years ago. All day we have

seen frenzied teams come and go bringing in metal fencing. They have

also been trying to speak whth also been trying to speak whth

neighbours to try to reassure them about the work they have been

neighbours to try to reassure them about the work they have bedn doing

and I have spoken with those and I have spoken with thosd

neighbours: They asked what has been going on around here, and I said

that they are looking for the gold, somebody has buried gold! L@UGHTER

somebody has buried gold! LAUGHTER I did not want to explain what was

happening. A friend drove p`st, I did not want to explain what was

happening. A friend drove past, they happening. A friend drove p`st, they

noticed loads of police outside, I said it is not very nice, I did not

know what it is all about. Do we know how long this search is likely

to we really do not know, police say they will review the situathon on a

they will review the situation on a daily basis, they have not xet

they will review the situathon on a daily basis, they have not yet said

daily basis, they have not xet said whether it is one body or more than

one body that they are searching for, and neighbours here, for them

tonight, it remains something of a mystery. They will be wondering what

may have happened behind the mystery. They will be wondering what

may have happened behind thd door, may have happened behind the door,

as this escalation continues. Coming to the capital from Japan, the

excuse to dress up as favourite characters.

A surgeon who was sacked after complaining about a lack of

equipment at Basildon Hospital is seeking compensation. An employment

tribunal found that the Dr was unfairly dismissed after rahsing

concerns about one of his patients. concerns about one of his patients.

It could reignite concerns `bout It could reignite concerns about

whistle`blowers. It is four years since this Dr

operated on a man at Basildon hospital without the specialist

because he needed to stop the patient bleeding. The tribunal

judgement was very clear in that he is a whistle`blower and he was

subjected to a long and ardtous subjected to a long and arduous

disciplinary investigation hn subjected to a long and ardtous

disciplinary investigation in the disciplinary investigation in the

process. It is the worst case I have seen in 17 years of an unfair

process. It is the worst case I have seen in 17 years of an unfahr and

seen in 17 years of an unfair and discriminatory dismissal. Hd

seen in 17 years of an unfahr and discriminatory dismissal. He had

seen in 17 years of an unfair and discriminatory dismissal. Hd had an

unblemished record as a caddie or thoracic surgeon but in August 2010

he performed the operation `nd thoracic surgeon but in Augtst 010

he performed the operation and the he performed the operation and the

patient later died. A report was changed to remove a sentence

patient later died. A report was changed to remove a sentencd which

changed to remove a sentence which absolved him of blame. The surgeon

was on sick leave, hospitalhsed was on sick leave, hospitalhsed

three times with ammonia and during that time he attended a job

interview and lectures abro`d. The hospital began a disciplinary

process would questioned his illness and inability to work. On the 19th

and inability to work. On the 1 th of November he was dismissed. They

wanted to tarnish my reputation to the maximum so there would be no

credibility to the whistle`blowing which I brought out into the public

which I brought out into thd public domain. I had not reached a single

trust policy. Trust this boots that. `` the trust disputes.

Last year the Health Secretary warned NHS bosses that

whistle`blowers needed better whistle`blowers needed better

protection in this case will likely raise concerns. I hope that having

had the courage to come out and speak out it will safeguard other

senior doctors. He has won his tribunal and will find out if he

tribunal and will find out hf he will get compensation.

Aircraft enthusiasts have bden heading down the' lead to the

opening of the Farmborough Kershaw. `` Air Show.

The Prime Minister was the warm up for what are the real stars of the

Air Show. This is as close `s for what are the real stars of the

Air Show. This is as close `s you are going to get to the real thing.

This is due to be one of the are going to get to the real thing.

This is due to be one of thd main aircraft additives not flying `` and

it is not flying due to an dngine fire. The Typhoon is a regular

performer. Part of the incrdasingly multinational aircraft business that

dominates Farmborough, providing employment for thousands of people

across the region. How important is the show to companies around the

south`east? It is important to the aviation companies and to the local

economy. People coming down the' economy. People coming down the'

three, it brings in huge nulbers of three, it brings in huge numbers of

people. You are also in the situation where might you do not

just look at what happens for Farmborough, but the people who run

the airport when it is a business airport. A lot of our business comes

airport. A lot of our busindss comes from the United States, corporate

America travelling again, which is good news. We had business from the

Middle East. Business from emerging or emerged nations, China, Chinese

private jets, corporate jets arriving at Farmborough. It is

starting to reflect the global economy which is a good thing. It is

also a reflection that this year's Air Show is going to be different.

They have learned from a lot of big public events. Some of the people

producing big entertainment in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Games

will be down here later this week when the public get to come here.

Able not just impressed with planes, they want more entertainment, so

there will be big screens to keep the poll happy. `` people.

It's a craze which first st`rted in Japan, where it's huge, and is now

Cosplay, as it's known, involves dressing up

as a superhero or science fhction character and meeting up with others

Last weekend saw one of the largest events in London.

They are not characters from a new sci`fi film,

but Londoners swept up in a craze that's growing across the capital.

I live in Crayford and I work for the railway.

My name is Gina and I do graphic design.

My real name name is Hayley and I am a student.

Dressed as their favourite heroes from comics, animations

and computer games they are fans of Cosplay, a form of popular

Short for costume and play, those involved take it very seriotsly

Even adopting their character's personality.

This meet`up in East London is one of the Cosplay

The hardest part when getting ready is to get your wig perfect.

Rebecca is an office worker from Hainault.

At the weekend she becomes a Japanese anime character.

People do it, the main reason for fun, because they want to show

Those who make their own costume want to test their skills

Today I am going to a big Cosplay meet in Finsbury Park.

Cosplayers from all over London are going to be therd.

When I wear my costume on public transport sometimes you

get a few odd looks but people wear weird things in London anyway.

Organisers of this weekly meet`up say the scene

There is hundreds upon hundreds of meet up people, meet up groups

meet up hosts, it has gotten to the point where people are starting

to do it in genres so you will find something on every weekend.

With many more meets planned for the rest of 2014 and melbership

tripling in the last 12 months could it be time for the rest of ts to

It has been lovely. Lovely summer weather. We had gorgeous sunshine

today. We have adopted a bit more cloud. There is a weather front

working in from the west around an area of low pressure and that is

area of low pressure and th`t is going to move through the night.

area of low pressure and that is going to move through the nhght Not

going to move through the night. Not very much rain left but a lhttle

going to move through the nhght Not very much rain left but a little bit

very much rain left but a lhttle bit here and there. We will see some

brightness before sunset. As we go through the night we have that

load. If you're hoping for a what's on in of the garden, I do not think

there is much chance of that. The breeze will pick up as it goes

through the night. Because we have the cloud drawing in humid `ir

through the night. Because we have the cloud drawing in humid air it is

the cloud drawing in humid `ir it is going to be a pretty uncomfortable

night. Temperatures 14`16?. Some places mess they at 17. At the start

date tomorrow, we will have a fair amount of cloud, some drizzle, but

it is going to be breaking tp mid`morning and into the afternoon

where there will be decent spells of sunshine. Temperatures lifting

where there will be decent spells of sunshine. Temperatures lifthng to 23

sunshine. Temperatures lifting to 23 degrees. London getting to 25 or 26.

A similar picture to today. We have another warm evening to enjoy. We

could get 30 degrees somewhere across London Thursday and Friday.

It gets more hot and humid. Towards the end of the week we repl`ce

It gets more hot and humid. Towards the end of the week we replace high

the end of the week we repl`ce high pressure with low which means we are

going to have potentially hdavy thundery showers to end the week.

This is the British summerthme. It is three good days and a

thunderstorm. Centuries of tradition have been

overturned with a vote to allow and bishops. The Archbishop of

Canterbury and the Prime Minister publicly supported the move.

The former High Court judge appointed to lead a governmdnt

appointed to lead a government inquiry into his Doric child abuse

has stepped down. The Costa Concordia is being

refloated. It capsized more than two years ago with the loss of 32 lives.

New recruits for the Metropolitan Police will only be considered if

they have lived for three off the last six years in London.

Concerns have been raised bx the Concerns have been raised by the

Federation of Small Businesses that around a third of businesses near

the seller Conrad about in dast the seller Conrad about in dast

London are suffering because the seller Conrad about in east

London are suffering becausd of the seller Conrad about in dast

London are suffering because of a lack of high`speed broadband.

More on the day's stories on our website.

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

Until then, from all of us on the team, enjoy your evening.

MUSIC: "Edward Scissorhands Introduction" by Danny Elfman

DRUMBEATS CONTINUE WITH SWELLING, DRAMATIC MUSIC