0:00:00 > 0:00:01Now on BBC one it's time for the news where you are.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Good evening. I'm Riz Lateef.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17First tonight - an insight into the state of some
0:00:17 > 0:00:19of London's worst prisons.
0:00:19 > 0:00:26A serving officer has told us - the shortage of staff
0:00:27 > 0:00:28makes her feel vulnerable.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30It comes amid concerns about a recruitment crisis
0:00:30 > 0:00:31across the capital's jails,
0:00:31 > 0:00:38as Caroline Davies reports.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39I want my property!
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Violence, drugs, drones, self harm, suicide and even murders.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44This is the state of London's prisons, and according to some
0:00:44 > 0:00:45critics, the lack of staff is making it worse.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49I've been working at prisons more than 30 years and I have never seen
0:00:49 > 0:00:51them in such a terrible state.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54It is very bad for prisoners and the public because it means
0:00:54 > 0:00:58the prisoners are locked up all day and dumped back on the street angry
0:00:58 > 0:01:02and bitter and more likely to commit another crime.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05At the end of 2016, the Government said it would recruit an extra
0:01:05 > 0:01:092,500 prison officers across England and Wales.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11So how many new officers have been recruited
0:01:11 > 0:01:14across London's eight prisons?
0:01:14 > 0:01:16There has been a net gain of only 22.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19I really enjoyed it when I first started,
0:01:19 > 0:01:20I loved the buzz and that,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23then it rapidly changed.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26This woman is an officer in a London prison.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29We have concealed her identity and dubbed her voice to protect her.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32There are no staff any more, they come in but as quickly
0:01:32 > 0:01:35as they do, people are leaving.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38There are people who have been there 15 years and remember
0:01:38 > 0:01:40when there were four officers on a landing and now
0:01:40 > 0:01:41there is only one.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44What is it like when you're just the one person?
0:01:44 > 0:01:46You get worried because what if you are the one that
0:01:46 > 0:01:47gets attacked that day
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and you can't get a whistle to your mouth?
0:01:50 > 0:01:52You better hope those prisoners like you because they will be
0:01:52 > 0:01:54the ones saving your life.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56People will be shocked to hear you rely on the prisoners
0:01:56 > 0:01:58to keep you safe?
0:01:58 > 0:02:01It is the truth, because there is no one with you on the landing.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05You have to rely on prisoners.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08What did the Ministry of Justice's figures say
0:02:08 > 0:02:10about the picture in London?
0:02:10 > 0:02:13There might be 22 more officers across London overall but some
0:02:13 > 0:02:15prisons have even fewer staff than before the Government started
0:02:15 > 0:02:21this recruitment drive.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Belmarsh Prison has 22 fewer officers, Pentonville 20
0:02:23 > 0:02:25and Wormwood Scrubs 15.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28The prison service recruited just over 4,500 new officers
0:02:28 > 0:02:34across England and Wales last year but they also lost nearly 2,000.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39And almost 500 of those were in their first year in a prison.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Rachel used to be a prison officer in London but after less than
0:02:43 > 0:02:4418 months, she quit.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48She said there was little time for rehabilitation.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Quite a lot of them are only young and they are coming in
0:02:52 > 0:02:54and being thrown into prison, rightfully so, but they are being
0:02:54 > 0:02:59put into a cell and locked away for three days straight.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I was the one giving them the phone calls and letting them out
0:03:02 > 0:03:05to have a phone call and letting them out to have a shower.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08That to me is basic humanity, and they can't even get that
0:03:08 > 0:03:10because of a lack of staff.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12So what would make a difference to those still working
0:03:12 > 0:03:16in London's prisons?
0:03:16 > 0:03:17Staff, to begin with anyway.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I think I would feel more secure if there was more staff.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Both sides are clear what's needed but while staff are leaving
0:03:23 > 0:03:24because of staff shortages,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28the prison system in London seems stuck in a vicious circle.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Alpa Patel is here with more on this.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40What is the Ministry of Justice saying about this?
0:03:40 > 0:03:45Well, the Ministry of Justice says that it is on course to recruit
0:03:45 > 0:03:502,500 prison of this is and the Justice Secretary told us that
0:03:50 > 0:03:55staffing is the golden thread needed to improve our presence, but as we
0:03:55 > 0:04:00saw in Caroline's report, it is retention that is the real key here,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04especially of those experienced officers who can deal with changing
0:04:04 > 0:04:08and dangerous situations in prison is better than new recruits can.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12We've spoken to the Prison Officers Association, who say the real
0:04:12 > 0:04:16problem over retention is pay, prison officers aren't paid enough
0:04:16 > 0:04:21to either keep them in post or recruit them to the posts that are
0:04:21 > 0:04:24needed and until that changes, retention will continue to be a
0:04:24 > 0:04:28problem here in London.OK, thanks very much for that.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30News that celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is selling his two
0:04:30 > 0:04:32London steakhouses has highlighted some of the challenges
0:04:32 > 0:04:37facing restaurateurs more widely in the capital.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Others claim that high rents and business rates are forcing them
0:04:39 > 0:04:41to take drastic measures or face closure.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Here's Chris Rogers.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Business has been good for the owners of this restaurant
0:04:48 > 0:04:51in Hackney but they are closing the restaurant next week.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Despite all the hard work and awards, the rising costs of rent
0:04:55 > 0:04:59and rates mean they need to start again, with a new name
0:04:59 > 0:05:01and a cheaper location of Shoreditch but it comes
0:05:01 > 0:05:04at the cost of their Michelin star.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Frankly, the rents in Shoreditch are cheaper for us,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12so straightaway that is the reality of what we are doing.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15As much as I love this neighbourhood, I think it's
0:05:15 > 0:05:22a business and we've got to do what's right.
0:05:22 > 0:05:29This is the latest London restaurant to shut just in the last few days,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31yet it has won loads of awards, look at this.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32So what is going on?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35One of the main issues is there are simply too many restaurants.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Dozens are closing and opening all the time.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Add to that the rising cost of food, the higher minimum wage,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43a weak pound and Brexit and you have the perfect storm
0:05:43 > 0:05:46according to this restaurant owner and consultant.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50There is a shrinking labour market because of issues with Brexit
0:05:50 > 0:05:54and people not coming to the UK, it is harder to employ.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59A lot of the key positions, more senior positions,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01you're having to pay way over the odds to get people.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03It is just a real struggle.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06The bite of rising costs is also felt by some of the big chains,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08among them chef Jamie Oliver.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11He is closing some of his restaurants.
0:06:11 > 0:06:17His steakhouse in Piccadilly was closed today.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20While burger chain Byron is to close up to 20 restaurants.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Announcements like that are bound to shake the confidence
0:06:22 > 0:06:25of the smaller London Independents.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28There is only so much business out there and only so much
0:06:28 > 0:06:29money to be had.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33I think this will be a bloodbath, frankly, this year.
0:06:33 > 0:06:41And that's always a necessary part of the cycle of life.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Some analysts say the winners will be the cheaper home
0:06:44 > 0:06:45delivery companies.
0:06:45 > 0:06:52A little far-fetched perhaps, but as rising rents cause
0:06:52 > 0:06:54restaurants to raise their menu cost or close, the likes of
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Next - it's proving to be a hard sell.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Commuters are complaining about the comfort of seats on some
0:07:01 > 0:07:04new trains on Thameslink routes.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07The train operator says it meets strict fire safety regulations.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08But is there cause for concern?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Our transport correspondent Tom Edwards has been finding out.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18These new Class 700 trains are spacious and airy,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21but as well as having fewer seats, some commuters think
0:07:21 > 0:07:24the cushioning is like concrete.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28On this service this morning to St Albans,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30mainly uncomfortable agreement.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32It's really uncomfortable, it's ridiculous.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34I can't believe this is a new train.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36There's not much legroom.
0:07:36 > 0:07:37Yeah.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39And the backs are a bit narrow for my liking.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41If you're sitting next to a stranger especially.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Then you're practically on top of them, yeah.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Do you find them hard, the seats?
0:07:45 > 0:07:46Very hard.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51As you can see.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Soft seats, in my country the seats is really different,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57we don't have like these things, the blue ones, so for me
0:07:57 > 0:08:00it's great, I like it.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Complaints about train seats aren't new.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07The latest trains on Great Western have also drawn criticism.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10These trains on the Thameslink Bedford to Brighton route
0:08:10 > 0:08:12are now being rolled out on the Great Northern
0:08:12 > 0:08:15to Peterborough.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Then I'd like you to lift your buttocks upwards, just slowly.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20At this clinic in Maidenhead, they're used to treating
0:08:20 > 0:08:23commuters' aches and pains.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28They say, over time, new harder seats could make matters worse.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31The thing is, people's bodies don't adapt that easily.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33I mean they're actually, if you think about it,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36often sitting in an office, at an office desk all day.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39They may be using a computer all day.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42They may try and take exercise breaks, but fundamentally,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45if their commute is uncomfortable on a hard seat as well,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48it's just adding more insult to injury, in a sense.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51The train companies say these seats have to meet the strict criteria set
0:08:51 > 0:08:55by the Department for Transport, and that means they have to meet
0:08:55 > 0:09:00strict fire regulations and be graffiti proof.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04But others say what this is really about is cost-cutting.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07We will shortly be arriving at Three Bridges.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Passengers have also complained about a lack of legroom,
0:09:10 > 0:09:15and with no plans to change the cushioning, commuters will have
0:09:15 > 0:09:22to get used to seats that one compared to an ironing board.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I'll say good night and it's over to Phil Avery
0:09:25 > 0:09:28for this week's weather.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31for this week's weather.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36My word, hard seeds and a pretty damp commute this morning, it was
0:09:36 > 0:09:40certainly wet when I skipped out the door to catch the bin men and Dave
0:09:40 > 0:09:43in King's Cross also captured the scene and I'm sure he can send
0:09:43 > 0:09:48something similar tomorrow because there will be rain at times. A lot
0:09:48 > 0:09:52of cloud around, two weather fronts close to the British Isles, one then
0:09:52 > 0:09:56the eastern side and a cold front out towards the west which we will
0:09:56 > 0:09:59see eventually but overnight, even though the breezes from the north, I
0:09:59 > 0:10:03think with quite a bit of cloud around, the temperatures really
0:10:03 > 0:10:07won't slip away very far, no scraping up the cars tomorrow
0:10:07 > 0:10:11morning but it will be a lead and start to Tuesday. Then the cold
0:10:11 > 0:10:15front I was talking about will drift across us. Not much rain to the west
0:10:15 > 0:10:22of the capital but over to the east, it may integrate but behind it, some
0:10:22 > 0:10:25of the low-level cloud will disappear and we will be looking at
0:10:25 > 0:10:27temperatures pretty much on a par with today, nine or 10 degrees. Is
0:10:27 > 0:10:32there any end to the dank weather? Yes, there is, as we go through
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Wednesday and Thursday and into the weekend, at high pressure will keep
0:10:36 > 0:10:39the Atlantic runs at bay and there will be a fair amount of dry weather
0:10:39 > 0:10:43around. So that is good. But sunshine will initially be in short
0:10:43 > 0:10:48supply. It may just poke out a wee bit later on but you will see the
0:10:48 > 0:10:51trend here is for temperatures to really fall away, as far ahead as
0:10:51 > 0:10:56the weekend. We're looking at six or seven or 8 degrees and into the
0:10:56 > 0:11:00start-up next week, it will feel much, much cooler. There could be a
0:11:00 > 0:11:01passing wintry shower