26/05/2017 London News

Damon Smith, who's 20 and has Asperger's syndrome,

was caught on CCTV leaving a bag filled with explosives and ball

Ayshea Buksh has been following this story for us

Remind us about what happened? Damon Smith left a rucksack on the Jubilee

line with a bomb inside, made from ball barings and a cheap alarm

clock. He got off at London Bridge. The bomb was timed to go off,

minutes later but did not. The train carried on to Greenwich where the

alarm was raised. The police arrested him at his home with GPs

and weapons and other bombs with instructions from an extremist

Islamist website. On questioning, this is what he said. I realised on

the tube it was going to Stratford. I thought it would be a good time to

leave my bag for a prank. What was said in court? Damon Smith

was found guilty of possession with a substance with an explosive intent

and although he had an interest in Islam he was not motivated by

terrorism. The judge said: I am driven to treat you as a dangerous

offender and the seriousness of what you did cannot be overstated. He

spoke of the recent terrorist attack in Manchester and the background of

fear in which we all live. We heard from his difence how he has an

autistic spectrum disorder and the barrister said he was a vulnerable

man. Earlier, the BBC spoke to Damon Smith's mother about this. Could you

try to be a bit more lenient because of his Asperger's. He has never been

in trouble with the police before or anything like that. He's got a good

character. He is just a vulnerable little boy who needs a bit of help,

not prison. Well, Damon Smith is to serve 15

years at a young offender's institution with an extended period

of five years on licence. The head of the Met's counter-terrorism team

said that while there is no connection with Greenwich and

Manchester, it brings into reality how devastating this could have

been. Thank you.

The Met Police is warning football fans they can expect to see extra

armed officers on patrol at this weekend's FA Cup Final -

and at other events around the capital this

It comes after the terror threat level was raised to critical-

It comes after the terror threat level was raised to critical -

Our reporter Frankie McCamley has more.

With thousands of people heading to the capital this

bank holiday weekend, visiting key tourist attractions

like here in Westminster and heading to some of the biggest sporting

events of the year, security will still remain tight.

Which means extra police officers on the streets who will be

Now the terror threat level does still remain critical,

I've been speaking to one Met police officer who's been telling me

At the events that are taking place at the weekend,

I think people should be prepared to see increased searching of bags,

more security, so arrive earlier, in plenty of time.

Perhaps not as late as you would do normally.

From a policing perspective you will see more officers out

and about across the capital, not at events but at transport hubs

and a range of the crowded and iconic places that we've got

It's my job and everyone that works in the police to keep London

We want people to come and enjoy the range of events

that are taking place across the capital this weekend.

The Met Police will do all it can to ensure that people are safe.

Now, despite that message from the Metropolitan Police,

Chelsea Football Club has decided to cancel its victory parade this

Sunday, saying it doesn't want to divert police resources.

there will be heightened security, it says it does not

It's carrying out what it calls a "proportionate response" and it's

important not to forget that we have had this critical terror level

before back in 2006 and 2007 and during that time an attack

People who have a disfigurement, to their face or body,

have been telling BBC London about the abuse they suffer -

The charity Changing Faces says there's been a rise in cases

Leaving them frightened and humiliated.

Jim Wheble has been talking to one woman about her experience.

Because I had a rare genetic condition, there are times where I

would be walking down the street like this, people may stare, a bit

of a glance. That is not so bad. I can deal with that.

But for Victoria, unfortunately, all too often it does not end there,

bearing the brunt of vile attitudes. I think I'm lucky living in Central

London. Living in such an amazing City it means that on the whole

people value and celebrate divert and difference but then there are

times when people will be really nasty to me and shout abuse at me in

the street. I have had men in cars who shout abuse at me through car

windows. I have walked past people outside of pubs where they have gone

"that woman makes me want to vomit." Even in the last few days you have

had abuse online? That's right. A message on Facebook. This image here

with a character of a moon for a face and a long pointed chin, as you

can see... Some unpleasant words. Unpleasant words not repeatable on

television. For the report, the charity,

Changing Faces spoke to 800 people with facial disfigurement. What

strikes you is the intensity and the prejudice that people face.

media post mocking disfigurement and yet none have ever had

I have a right to live free from abuse. So I made a conscious

decision to say that is what I was going to do to live me life and be

happy and ignore and rise above the abuse.

The Bank Holiday getaway got off to a terrible start for some

holidaymakers at Gatwick airport this morning-

after some were told they'd have to fly without their luggage.

He says he boarded a plane only to be told his bag

Gatwick Airport says the problem with the automated

system has been solved and has apologised for disruption.

It's been another beautiful day in London but it's all about the bank

holiday weekend. Who would want to be anywhere else?

This is Kew Gardens, earlier on. To be aware if you are out in the

sun today, the UV levels are high, so you may well want sun cream on.

For the weekend, we think it will stay warm. The heat will hold on.

Thundery showers at times but lots of sunshine too. A details in a

moment. There is lots of sunshine for the afternoon. There is a

south-easterly wind, so feeling cooler in the east. Temperatures to

28 Celsius or 29 Celsius later on today.

Feeling very warm. A lovely evening to come. Overnight, possibly

uncomfortable for sleeping. It will feel muggy at times. Lows of 16 or

17 Celsius. You may see the showers, they will be with us through the

late morning probably tomorrow. One or two of them could be heavy and

thundery, you may miss them all together. Some places will. Lots of

sunshine tomorrow afternoon. Feeling nice and warm. Temperatures in the

mid-to the high 20s, widely. So another warm day again tomorrow.

Lots more sunshine to come. But it would not be a bank holiday weekend

without a weather warning. This is what we have for Sunday until Monday

from mid-day to mid-day. Starting dry and bright on Sunday,

feeling fresh. Heavy downpours on Saturday and Sunday but clearing on

Monday. It started off so well! That's all

from us. Join us at 6.30 when Riese lot Crieff is here with our evening

programme. Hope you make the most of that sunshine today. Goodbye.

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