0:00:00 > 0:00:00their homes. That's all from the BBC News at one, goodbye from me on BBC
0:00:00 > 0:00:12One we join the
0:00:12 > 0:00:18Good afternoon, I'm Asad Ahmad.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21The police and the RSPCA are urging people not to buy puppies
0:00:21 > 0:00:24as Christmas presents after a rise in the number of dead dogs found
0:00:24 > 0:00:27dumped by roadsides.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30They're believed to be treated as waste by illegal breeders
0:00:30 > 0:00:34cashing in on seasonal sales.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Officers say animals are being bred in appallingly cruel conditions
0:00:37 > 0:00:39by organised criminal gangs.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Just to warn you, Yvonne Hall's report does
0:00:41 > 0:00:48contain upsetting images.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53They look adorable and healthy. But these puppies have been bred
0:00:53 > 0:00:58illegally for sale in North London and are underfed, riddled with
0:00:58 > 0:01:03parasites and very sick. This is what happens to the weakest puppies
0:01:03 > 0:01:10who die in illegal conditions, they get dumped by the roadside.The
0:01:10 > 0:01:16latest batch found in ambition. This is going on every day, waste from
0:01:16 > 0:01:21puppy traders is being discarded like household rubbish.In the
0:01:21 > 0:01:24run-up to Christmas, it is particularly bad.We do see an
0:01:24 > 0:01:32increase in puppy buying, selling, at this time of year. I think the
0:01:32 > 0:01:36local find in permission has reopened the fact that we are seeing
0:01:36 > 0:01:46a spike -- in ambition.At this illegal farm, some found dead.They
0:01:46 > 0:01:51are emaciated, awful conditions, extremely skinny, used time after
0:01:51 > 0:01:57time for litter after litter. The puppies themselves are kept in very
0:01:57 > 0:02:02small, dark enclosures, in absolute filth.The RSPCA and the police are
0:02:02 > 0:02:07warning organised criminal gangs are involved making up to £1000 per
0:02:07 > 0:02:12puppy. Some force vulnerable people to sell them.They have had threats
0:02:12 > 0:02:17made against themselves, against their family, they have been
0:02:17 > 0:02:23intimidated, harassed, bullied.The charity is urging prospective buyers
0:02:23 > 0:02:27to follow its contract guidelines for puppies to help stamp out the
0:02:27 > 0:02:32illegal trade. At least for one of the Sikh puppies rescued in north
0:02:32 > 0:02:36London, a happy ending. This is him now, adopted by the Met Police
0:02:36 > 0:02:42officer who helped to save him.He definitely -- you definitely need to
0:02:42 > 0:02:46be able to see both sets of parents, their history, where they have come
0:02:46 > 0:02:52from.Yvonne Hall, BBC London news.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Heathrow Airport has cut its estimated expansion costs
0:02:54 > 0:02:56by over £2 billion as it makes a new proposal
0:02:56 > 0:02:58for a third runway.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01It comes from reducing the space needed and changes to building work.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04The proposal will be put to the public next year,
0:03:04 > 0:03:05but there's already criticism from campaign groups
0:03:05 > 0:03:08who say the lower cost does nothing to address fears
0:03:08 > 0:03:11over environmental damage.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14A court has heard how a homeless man, who damaged a £24 million
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Thomas Gainsborough painting in the National Gallery
0:03:17 > 0:03:19this year, did it because a voice in his head
0:03:19 > 0:03:22told him to.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Keith Gregory is accused of slashing the painting
0:03:24 > 0:03:26called The Morning Walk using a drill bit.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28He's pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing criminal
0:03:28 > 0:03:30damage by reason of insanity.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33The case continues.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36The much-awaited Crossrail is in its final stages
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and will open to the public in 12 months' time.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42So, the countdown has begun,and to mark it,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Transport for London
0:03:44 > 0:03:47has released a tube map to show us how we'll be able to get around
0:03:47 > 0:03:49when the Elizabeth line is up and running.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52There are positive noises about London's next big infrastructure
0:03:52 > 0:03:58project, Crossrail 2.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59Our transport correspondent, Tom Edwards, has been
0:03:59 > 0:04:05taking a look at it.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07These huge platforms are at Farringdon Crossrail station
0:04:07 > 0:04:09and in a year's time, trains will be running through here.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13Today news that in central London, fares on the Elizabeth line will be
0:04:13 > 0:04:14the same as the tube.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16In terms of where it covers normal TFL zones,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19it will be exactly the same fare structure because we recognise this
0:04:19 > 0:04:21is going to take some business from other lines,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24of course it will, but we also know people who perhaps have not used
0:04:24 > 0:04:30the Central line or Jubilee line in the last few years,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32they perceive them to be very busy, and they will, of course,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34come back to using the underground
0:04:34 > 0:04:36and that, of course, is about supporting
0:04:36 > 0:04:37London's continued growth.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39The Elizabeth line will initially start in three sections and already
0:04:39 > 0:04:42there are plans for the next big infrastructure project, Crossrail 2.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43The cost?
0:04:43 > 0:04:44£30 billion.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47And the Government wants TFL to raise half of that up front,
0:04:47 > 0:04:48through business rates, councils and developers.
0:04:48 > 0:04:55City Hall admits the funding is a big challenge.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57We are absolutely confident from the figures we have already
0:04:57 > 0:05:01submitted that London can fund half of the capital programme
0:05:01 > 0:05:03that we would need for Crossrail 2.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07It is not easy but we can do it.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10The pay back, both in terms of what comes to TFL
0:05:10 > 0:05:14and the Treasury, but to London's businesses and Londoners,
0:05:14 > 0:05:20is fantastic.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Crossrail 2 will run from south-west London and Surrey
0:05:22 > 0:05:24through the capital to Hertfordshire.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25Today the Government seemed positive.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26So, do you think it will happen?
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Yes, I believe it will.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29There are some quite specific capacity challenges
0:05:29 > 0:05:32across the network in London that still remain.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Crossrail 2 has the ability to solve a number of them.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40We need to make sure, therefore, that we ensure Crossrail 2 tackles
0:05:40 > 0:05:42the challenges we most need to be tackled here in London.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47As this huge engineering project enters its final stages
0:05:47 > 0:05:49to match London's growth, the capital's already looking
0:05:49 > 0:05:52at new infrastructure.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55The challenge, as it was initially on Crossrail, is funding.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Tom Edwards, BBC London news.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04As many people wind down from work as we approach Christmas,
0:06:04 > 0:06:06there are still many jobs which will be staffed,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08like our servicemen and women.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10We've been behind the scenes with the Household Cavalry
0:06:10 > 0:06:13as the Defence Secretary came to thank them and all our Armed
0:06:13 > 0:06:14Forces for their service.
0:06:14 > 0:06:20Tolu Adeyoye reports.
0:06:20 > 0:06:26They are the public face of the British Army and the mounted escort
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Her Majesty the Queen. The Household Cavalry is the only's oldest and
0:06:28 > 0:06:37most senior regiment.Out on parade, looking smart, clean, very good
0:06:37 > 0:06:43tempered, the soldiers come down at 11am... They are here for 24 hours.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49The horses do one hour on, one hour off until 4pm in the evening. The
0:06:49 > 0:06:54soldiers, the foot reliefs, they will be on their feet for two hours,
0:06:54 > 0:07:03staggered, until later.I put my tunic on, the jacket on underneath,
0:07:03 > 0:07:10then I put on my cloak, and my boots, my sword and scabbard. I do
0:07:10 > 0:07:15up my cloak, helmet on, ready to go. Household Cavalry soldiers are
0:07:15 > 0:07:19trained for battle as one is ceremonial duties. Today the Defence
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Secretary came to thank them and all the Armed Forces for their service
0:07:23 > 0:07:27to the country. All of those present today will be working over the
0:07:27 > 0:07:31festive period.Working Christmas Day, not amazing, but being with the
0:07:31 > 0:07:35lads, everyone brings spirits up.I chose to work Christmas so I could
0:07:35 > 0:07:41have new years.Tactical. What do you love most about being part of
0:07:41 > 0:07:48this regiment?It is unique.Nice to be part of it.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49Now, let's check on the weather with Kate.
0:07:53 > 0:08:01Good afternoon. We saw this morning, dense freezing fog, but it was not
0:08:01 > 0:08:05widespread, lots of people saw blue skies first thing. We have held onto
0:08:05 > 0:08:10sunny spells, the best day to enjoy the sunshine, later, it will turning
0:08:10 > 0:08:14cloudy. Coming in from the north, still feeling quite chilly at least
0:08:14 > 0:08:19for now. The cloud creeping in this afternoon, first the north-west,
0:08:19 > 0:08:23then covering all parts, for this evening. Sunshine this afternoon in
0:08:23 > 0:08:30south-west London. Not especially warm. Temperatures struggling.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Overnight, the crowd spills down, they for the odd spot of rain, but
0:08:34 > 0:08:41most places dry. Prepare for missed and murk. The temperature could rise
0:08:41 > 0:08:48a little for some places as we head through to dawn. Frost free as the
0:08:48 > 0:08:54temperature is above Sarah. I'll do start to tomorrow morning. -- above
0:08:54 > 0:09:01zero. Mist and murk will lift into low cloud, staying grey and gloomy
0:09:01 > 0:09:06tomorrow. The temperature, however, markedly different, 11, back up in
0:09:06 > 0:09:13double figures. It stays mild for the next few days. Temperatures into
0:09:13 > 0:09:18the weekend staying in double figures and mild at night as well.
0:09:18 > 0:09:19Not cold at all.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20That's it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Victoria will be here with our next news at 6.30pm on BBC One.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24Until then, have a very good afternoon.