17/09/2014 BBC London News

Pay for the display ` The Mayor's going to charge those

who want the best view of fireworks for the first time

It means families will not be able to enjoy the fireworks.

The Mayor's office says the tickets will help manage crowd

The explosives dating back to the First and Second World War found

at a house in St Albans ` police arrest a 46 year`old man

Calls for urgent action as ` global study shows London has the highest

Plus, the antics of the posh and privileged ` as a play about the

Welcome to BBC London News with me Riz Lateef.

It's been an annual tradition for a decade on New Year's Eve

as Big Ben strikes 12 a spectacular fireworks display lights up London.

It's attended by thousands on the Southbank and is watched

The Mayor's office says the tickets will help manage crowd numbdrs

as the event was becoming untenable in terms of safety and transport.

Our Political Editor Tim Donovan reports.

A spectacular show watched by millions on TV and is projecting an

image of the city to the world, but from now on if you want to get close

up to the action, you will have to pay. We have got to listen to some

of the experts from the emergency services and TfL who say the time

services and TfL who say thd time has come to recognise that the event

is colossal and we need to ticket people. I would love it to be free

for everybody but I think it will still be a wonderful night out. It

should be a wonderful night and remain free is how many reacted

Some say it will make the crowd control challenge harder and not

easier. Every world city has wonderful events on New Year's Eve

but I think this could be more dangerous with people splintering

off and going to the outskirts of the boundary and being harder to

the boundary and being harddr to police. It should not cost Londoners

to see a fireworks display. This restaurant near to the London I

enjoy is a brisk trade on the day. `` London Eye. It came as a bolt

from the blue for us. It is amazing. Others did not say it seemed

unreasonable. I don't know, I think it is worth it. I would be prepared

to pay but if you are on benefits, then it should be free. Credits now

be a family affair? Will thdre be be a family affair? Will there be

reductions for children? No, we do not encourage children to come to

the fireworks. I know that sounds awful but it is so crowded, even

with 100,000 people. It is a family event. It is very, very crowded.

With 100,000 tickets at ?10 each, City Hall say it is to cover

administration and safety. He is going to become incre`singly

exposed this type of thing. I Labour assembly member asked him whether he

could give an undertaking on whether he could focus on the Mayor job

until 2016 and when asked if he would take a Cabinet post, he did

not answer directly. This g`ve you a not answer directly. This gave you a

flavour of what happened. Would you take up either of those roles, yes

take up either of those rolds, yes or no? There is no vacancy so the

answer is... Will you rule ht out? Running for the Conservative

Running for the Conservativd leadership or taking a Cabinet post?

There is no remote chance. What is my normal formulation for this? What

about tomorrow's vote in Scotland? A decision that would have

ramifications for City Hall and beyond. Certainly. Consider the

resonance of 300,000 Scottish people who live and work in London. Many

people think the Mayor saying that today our forces irresistible which

will lead to calls for London having much more say about what it wants to

spend, how it raises the money, and how it governs itself. I think you

can expect on Friday a renewal of that appeal for more autonoly, much

that appeal for more autonomy, much more self`government, in London

And we'll have more on the referendum and it's hmpact on

Plus ` getting access to London s transport network ` Southern Trains

launch a smartcard that can be used on the tube and buses.

Police in Hertfordshire have arrested

a 48 year old man on suspicion of stealing artefacts and mtnitions

Officers carried out a raid on a property

in St Albans this morning and discovered explosives dating back to

Army Disposal units are trying to ensure the area is safe.

As Robert Hall reports, controlled explosions have been

In a suburban street on the outskirts of Saint Albans, a call

outskirts of Saint Albans, ` call from police marking the latest

phrase of investigation. For the past three years, English Heritage

past three years, English Hdritage have investigated illegal metal

have investigated illegal mdtal detecting. That investigation led to

an arrest this morning and the operation unfolding around one

semidetached property. The team from country file captured these pictures

of an adjoining garage. On shelves and tables, from floor to ceiling,

and tables, from floor to cdiling, hundreds of items ranging from

uniforms to weapons and to munitions. We have essentially found

a museum of World War I and World War II relics. That includes

firearms and ammunition, and indeed, some ammunition as well. Pldase say

that some of the items are 000 years old and in view of the risk to

public safety they have called in an army explosives team. Nearbx

properties have been evacuated as the team examined the shelvds and

ammunition and assessed whether they could be moved without risk. Illegal

metal detecting has long bedn a metal detecting has long bedn a

cause of concern to those who strive to protect the past. This is the

first time that English Heritage in first time that English Herhtage in

partnership with the police have targeted those who are taking

battlefield artefacts. We are talking about live ammunition but we

are also talking about archaeological elements. Thhs

archaeological elements. This material looks like it has been

removed in uncontrolled conditions so we are losing the archaeological

knowledge as well. On farmland a mile away, explosives from past wars

were finally made safe. The events which unfolded here today followed

many months of investigation. The police and English Heritage are

determined that archaeological left is a matter which must be taken

is a matter which must be t`ken seriously. Today's operation may

have been the first of its kind but they warn it will not be thd last.

have been the first of its kind but they warn it will not be the last. A

court has heard that a policeman under investigation for a ddath in

under investigation for a death in custody wants to leave the force to

become a priest. PC Andrew Birks was

the senior arresting officer when Sean Rigg died at Brixton

police station in 2008. We can cross to Alex Bushill

at the High Court. Just remind us

of the background here? Sean Rigg died in police custody

back in 2008 after being restrained by four officers in balance. He was

40 years old and schizophrenic. An inquest found that he had bden the

subject of unnecessary forcd and today, at the High Court, the senior

of those four officers, tried to of those four officers, tridd to

overturn a decision to suspdnd him pending a second investigation.

overturn a decision to suspend him pending a second investigathon. He

pending a second investigation. He wants to retire to become a priest

on the south coast where he now lives. The problem is if he is

allowed to retire and is not suspended, he will not be the

subject of disciplinary procedures. His legal team argued that that

would be unfair. He learned about the second investigation after he

had begun his training to bdcome a had begun his training to become a

priest and if he is not allowed to retire, his legal team argudd that

that will be an infringement of his religious freedom because it will

delay his ordination. What was the response in court? Legal te`ms and

lawyers for the Sean Rigg f`mily dismiss those arguments. They say

dismiss those arguments. Thdy say that this officer is free to

practice, worship and pray as he sees fit and they say it is vitally

important that the police are held to account. One lawyer said that

this is an iconic case for London's black community after a succession

of officers had been allowed to retire escaping disciplinary

retire escaping disciplinarx procedures against them. We will

have a decision at the beginning of next week, I suspect.

The health of London is at "breaking point".

That's the stark warning by a commission

which has found the capital has the highest level of child obesity

The independent London Health Commission has been

comparing the capital with the likes of Johannesburg, Sao Paolo

and Paris ` and says we urgently needs to lead healthier lifdstyles.

Happy faces and healthy appdtites on display at lunch time today. But now

London has topped a list th`t no London has topped a list th`t no

city wants to. Being named the child obesity capital. It is of grave

concern. The children of London are the future and 40% of our children

are either obese or overweight. We are the worst performing but the

most famous city globally and we need to do something about this

That means more sport, activities and better nutrition, but providing

that healthy diet can be tough for that healthy diet can be tough for

parents. It is more expensive. A burger is cheaper than salad. Five a

day is a lot of money. It is hoped that this bus can bring the message

home but the London Health Commission claimed that obesity has

brought health services in the capital to breaking point. Today's

warning comes as no surprisd capital to breaking point. Today's

warning comes as no surprise to warning comes as no surprisd to

doctors here at Kings College Hospital in London. Three ydars

doctors here at Kings College Hospital in London. Three years ago

they set up the UK's first specialist clinic, providing surgery

for a obese children. In th`t specialist clinic, providing surgery

for a obese children. In that time, for a obese children. In that time,

this consultant had seen 140 patients, about 10% qualify for

surgery. The patients on which we surgery. The patients on which we

have operated so far are between 20 to 33 stone. How old were they? The

youngest was 13 and the olddst was youngest was 13 and the olddst was

17. It is not just children who needs to be healthy. Loretta runs

needs to be healthy. Lorett` runs fitness classes for adults who have

struggled to shed weight. She has lost seven stone in the process A

positive story in a city which is positive story in a city which is

being told it must do much lore to being told it must do much more to

look after itself. Rail commuters in the Home Counties

have perhaps for years felt like the From today Southern trains launched

a smartcard for commuters that can be used on the trains `` and

on the capital's tube and buses. The government's urging othdr

train companies to follow suit. Here is our transport correspondent.

Most commuters in the Home Counties still use paper tickets. Train

still use paper tickets. Tr`in companies are decades behind. Today,

that could be changing. Southern have launched a smart card to be

used on train and in the capital. It is a great idea. We are all

accustomed to those cards. I do not accustomed to those cards. I do not

travel enough to consider it. Southern are introducing smart

cards. Tickets are changing rapidly. Transport for London launchdd

Transport for London launched contactless card payments ydsterday

contactless card payments yesterday on the tubes and trains. Thd card

was part of southern's franchise commitment. They are the first rail

company to get travel on to smart cards. Why has it taken so long? We

cards. Why has it taken so long We have progressively introduced it

cards. Why has it taken so long? We have progressively introducdd it but

there have been technical issues that have taken time. We have done a

number of different trials on the number of different products. We got

there in the end. This is not a money issue but it has broken

there in the end. This is not a money issue but it has brokdn down

the barriers between all the the barriers between all thd

different players who need to get together and work together. It is

understanding that the passengers want the convenience that they

deserve. Frankly, don't underestimate the technical

challenges which have been huge. Most commuters still have concerns

about rising fares and service about rising fares and service

levels. The government hopes other train companies will now all embrace

Stay with us, still to come tonight. They have been going gold crazy in

the Premier League can they do the same as the champions season begins

against Schalke in the Champions League tonight? And posh and

privileged, the West End pl`y about privileged, the West End play about

the antics of the Oxford elhte hits the antics of the Oxford elite hits

the big screen. So, as we've been hearing, Scotland

is preparing to go to the polls What impact could the result of

the referendum have here in London? First, here's Asad Ahmad, who's

lived and worked north of border, with three lesser known facts about

Scotland's relationship with London. Fact one: In 1760, the Earl of Fife

used to spend a lot of time here in Westminster, but he was not a great

fan of the English, to say the least, and he couldn't quitd face

coming down here and living on English soil. So he bought ` plot

coming down here and living on English soil. So he bought a plot of

English soil. So he bought ` plot of land and had a merchant ship filled

with soil from the Highlands brought down the Thames and carried and

spread along here where he built his house. The house no longer dxists,

but the soil from the Highlands but the soil from the Highl`nds

still does, so technically, if you walk down here, you are still

walking on Scottish soil. Fact walk down here, you are still

walking on Scottish soil. Fact two, great Scotland Yard, just off

Whitehall. You might think it is famous for being the old

headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, and it is, but this is also

where Scotland used to have its embassy when it was a separate

embassy when it was a separ`te country until 1707. Just like

embassy today, the land that the Scottish embassy was built on was

regarded legally as being foreign soil. After 1707, although Scotland

became part of the union, someone forgot to abolish the foreign status

of great Scotland Yard, which means I could technically say I al

I could technically say I am actually standing in Scotland right

now. Fact three, and probably my favourite, Drummond bank, one of the

oldest of the world, right here in Trafalgar Square. It was started in

Trafalgar Square. It was st`rted in 1717 by Andrew Drummond, a Scot who

came to London. They did not think it would last more than a year

it would last more than a ydar because of the anti`Scottish

sentiment in London at the time so Scots living in the capital, they

withdrew the money from all other banks and deposited it here. It got

the Drummond is through the difficult times, and nearly 300

years later it is still herd. Those years later it is still herd. Those

are my three facts about Scotland in London. Some interesting facts.

Let's talk to Andrew Carter from the research body, Centre for Cities,

who believes whatever the ottcome of tomorrow's Scottish vote, it will

A very good evening to you, Tim Donovan talked about it earlier,

this does fuel the debate, doesn't it, on London's control over the

taxes it raises and its spending? Indeed, this is the real issue, come

what may, whatever decision we have in Scotland. Scotland will have

considerably more powers over the considerably more powers ovdr the

money that's spent in that country, and indeed the taxes that are raised

in it, and compared to London they are in a much more favourable

position. So the question then is whether we go in London to give

London is whether we go in London to give London's more power rahsed

London is whether we go in London to give London's more power raised? If

give London's more power rahsed If London starts pushing at that door,

what is to stop other cities saying the same? Eventually you st`rt

what is to stop other cities saying the same? Eventually you start to

the same? Eventually you st`rt to have something like the United

States Britain. This is exactly what other cities are saying. Grdater

other cities are saying. Greater Manchester, greater Leeds and

Greater Bristol are making exactly Greater Bristol are making dxactly

the point. They already make a the point. They already make a

significant contribution to the UK, the economy and people 's lives,

significant contribution to the UK, the economy and people 's lhves so

the economy and people 's lives, so it is not just London. Can H

the economy and people 's lhves so it is not just London. Can I just

turn for a second to the impact on businesses and employment. No matter

which way the vote goes, in effect Scotland will become a more

aggressive competitor to London. aggressive competitor to London.

They will want to attract the best people, and potentially they will

people, and potentially thex will have the tax rates, or ability to

have the tax rates, or abilhty to set the tax rates, to do it. That's

possible, but as we know London does not compete by offering che`per

not compete by offering cheaper premises or cheaper wages or cheaper

housing, it competes by being the best, in the sense that people come

here for careers and for the jobs. here for careers and for thd jobs.

Firms come here even though there are high costs in London, said

accommodation between Scotl`nd are high costs in London, s`id

accommodation between Scotl`nd and London I don't think we'll really

manifest itself in a serious way. We have two leave it there, th`nk you

for your thoughts. For more information on tomorrow's

referendum, just go to the website. Football `

and Chelsea begin their quest Jose Mourinho's team came close last

season when they made it to the semi`finals

before being knocked out. Our sports reporter Chris Slegg is

at Stamford Bridge ahead Lots of talk

about Chelsea's new striker? Clinical yes, a few of the darly

arrivals at South Bridge tonight, we have been hearing them chance the

name of the new goal`scoring hero, the man whose goals have taken

Chelsea to the top of the Premier League already this season, and that

of course is the ?32 million striker, Diego Costa, who h`s

amassed a hugely impressive seven goals in his first four games for

goals in his first four gamds for the club. He helped Atletico Madrid

knock Chelsea out in the semifinals last season, so Jose Mourinho went

out and signed him. Mourinho himself in his second season back at

Stamford Bridge is looking to do what he did at the same stage in his

former clubs, Inter and Porto. That is to win the Champions League.

Porto was my second season. Inter was also my second season. @nd

Porto was my second season. Inter was also my second season. And I

think the second season is ` think the second season is `

privileged place to have the team in privileged place to have thd team in

very good condition. It is not easy to improve what we did last season.

In spite of that, I think wd are to improve what we did last season.

In spite of that, I think we are a In spite of that, I think wd are a

better team. He is nothing if In spite of that, I think we are a

better team. He is nothing if not confident. So what are the chances

of starting with a win tonight? Chelsea and Schalke are famhliar

foes, they win the same group Chelsea and Schalke are familiar

foes, they win the same group last season, the result, Chelsea won 3`0

here and away. When you consider how much they have strengthened in the

summer, not just Diego Costa much they have strengthened in the

summer, not just Diego Cost` but summer, not just Diego Costa but

Cesc Fabregas is welcoming xou would Cesc Fabregas is welcoming xou would

make them firm favourites. In Cesc Fabregas is welcoming you would

make them firm favourites. Hn a make them firm favourites. In a

group that also contains Maribor of Slovenia and Sporting Lisbon, they

are firm favourites too to `dvance are firm favourites too to `dvance

to the knockout stage. Play Posh, satirising the antics of an Oxford

University dining society caused satirising the antics of an Oxford

University dining society c`used a University dining society c`used a

bit of stir, after the regulation was based on the no tori spdlling

was based on the no tori spelling didn't club, whose former mdmbers

include Boris Johnson and D`vid Cameron. Now the film version, the

riot club, is about to hit the big screen. First staged at the Royal

Port Theatre in 2010, Posh proved a huge success worthy of a West and

transfer the debate is now found new life in a screen adaptation called

The Riot Club. There are no more than ten in this club. The top ten.

My first interest in the story was an anthropological study of these

creatures that I felt so far from me or my background that I wanted to

investigate who they were and how they behaved, how they do. But I

think the political undertones are absolutely there and that is what

people, it seems, come away from it wanting to talk about. You've got

quite a posh name. Miles Davis. My parents were listening to kind of

parents were listening to khnd of blue when I was conceived. My

blue when I was conceived. Ly parents would have named me Gary

Barlow. At the time, there was a comment on whether or not it was

solely based on the Burlington club. What is your argument then and

solely based on the Burlington club. What is your argument then `nd what

is it now? It is a fictional piece of work and it was a fictional

creation, inspired by real clubs like the Bullingdon club, btt

creation, inspired by real clubs like the Bullingdon club, but it is

only one of a number. Former members only one of a number. Former members

of the infamous Bullingdon club included Boris Johnson, and David

Cameron. Laura's exploration of power and privilege may or not be a

coincidence. When the play was first on, it was around the time of the

election and now we are starting to look forward to the next eldction as

look forward to the next election as the film comes out. It is p`rtly a

quirk of timing, but it is interesting that this piece of work

goes out into the world at ` time goes out into the world at a time

when we are already starting to think about those things. Nobody

chooses where the parents sdnd them chooses where the parents sdnd them

to school. But how you behave is your choice will stop the film

to school. But how you behave is your choice will stop the fhlm is

released this Friday. It is that time of the evening for a check on

the weather with Nina Ridge. It was definitely warm. I'm not sure the

sun materialised as promised, though.

It was fairly cloudy and that will reform through the night, bdcoming

reform through the night, becoming quite widespread, so a great start

tomorrow, a bit more hopeful tomorrow afternoon we will see

brighter spells with some sunshine brighter spells with some stnshine

brighter spells with some sunshine around as well. If we look `t the

around as well. If we look at the satellite picture, we were tnder

satellite picture, we were under that hook of a cloud. It st`rted to

that hook of a cloud. It started to try to clear but only to be replaced

by a little bit more brewing from the south. Through the night

tonight, it will be quite grey, misty and murky. We are quite used

that was that it has been like that that was that it has been lhke that

over the last couple of nights and we have light winds as well. All of

that cloud acts as a bit of a blanket, so damage is not fdeling

blanket, so damage is not feeling too far as we head into the early

hours, we will be sitting around or 16 degrees. A dry start tomorrow

morning but with that cloud to get rid of. It will take its tile,

morning but with that cloud to get rid of. It will take its time, once

again, but hopefully, as thd rid of. It will take its tile, once

again, but hopefully, as the morning again, but hopefully, as the morning

goes on, it starts to lift and thin, and then we start to break ht

goes on, it starts to lift `nd thin, and then we start to break it up

goes on, it starts to lift and thin, and then we start to break ht up and

Welliton sunshine. Certainly Welliton sunshine. Certainlx to the

south to begin with and then brighter skies pushing their way

north by the afternoon. Only the north by the afternoon. Onlx the

outside chance of an afternoon shower. In the sunshine, we are

looking at amateurs of 25 degrees. looking at amateurs of 25 degrees.

Through the evening `` tempdratures Through the evening `` tempdratures

of 25 degrees. We could see one or two heavier downpours at times, but

two heavier downpours at tiles, but they are isolated, most places will

stay dry. A lot of that missed and low cloud forming. Down to the south

of the next few days, we ard low cloud forming. Down to the south

of the next few days, we are looking of the next few days, we are looking

to see how these showers develop and quite how far north they ard likely

quite how far north they are likely to push will stop we are expecting

one or two through the day on Friday. The cloud is likely to stick

on Friday and when we do get the showers they could be potentially

heavy, possibly even thundery as well. But despite all of th`t,

heavy, possibly even thundery as well. But despite all of that, it

well. But despite all of th`t, it still looks like it is going to stay

fairly warm on Friday, with temperatures still staying hn the

mid`20s. Not quite as warm, by the time we head into the weekend, a

little bit overcast, but for most it looks like it is going to stay dry.

A quick ride of the headlinds, with just hours to go until the polls

open in Scotland, campaigners for and against independents ard making

and against independents are making last`ditch efforts to win over the

undecided. Trials of a potential new vaccine against the Ebola virus got

vaccine against the Ebola vhrus got underway in Oxford today full stop

is accessible, it could be used to immunise health workers by the end

of the year. For the first time New Year's Eve revellers will have to

Year's Eve revellers will h`ve Year's Eve revellers will h`ve to

pay to see the fireworks display in London. The Boris Johnson s`ys

pay to see the fireworks display in London. The Boris Johnson says a

maximum 150,000 tickets will be made available. A 48 round man has been

available. A 48 round man h`s been arrested on suspicion of stealing

wartime relics from a disused munition site. Officers discovered

artefacts dating back from the first and 2nd world was. Plenty more on

the website, asset Ahmed will be the website, asset Ahmed will be

back with the late news. From all of us, had a lovely evening.