19/12/2017 London News

their homes. That's all from the BBC

News at one, goodbye from me on BBC

One we join the

Good afternoon, I'm Asad Ahmad.

The police and the RSPCA are urging

people not to buy puppies

as Christmas presents after a rise

in the number of dead dogs found

dumped by roadsides.

They're believed to be treated

as waste by illegal breeders

cashing in on seasonal sales.

Officers say animals are being bred

in appallingly cruel conditions

by organised criminal gangs.

Just to warn you,

Yvonne Hall's report does

contain upsetting images.

They look adorable and healthy. But

these puppies have been bred

illegally for sale in North London

and are underfed, riddled with

parasites and very sick. This is

what happens to the weakest puppies

who die in illegal conditions, they

get dumped by the roadside.

The

latest batch found in ambition. This

is going on every day, waste from

puppy traders is being discarded

like household rubbish.

In the

run-up to Christmas, it is

particularly bad.

We do see an

increase in puppy buying, selling,

at this time of year. I think the

local find in permission has

reopened the fact that we are seeing

a spike -- in ambition.

At this

illegal farm, some found dead.

They

are emaciated, awful conditions,

extremely skinny, used time after

time for litter after litter. The

puppies themselves are kept in very

small, dark enclosures, in absolute

filth.

The RSPCA and the police are

warning organised criminal gangs are

involved making up to £1000 per

puppy. Some force vulnerable people

to sell them.

They have had threats

made against themselves, against

their family, they have been

intimidated, harassed, bullied.

The

charity is urging prospective buyers

to follow its contract guidelines

for puppies to help stamp out the

illegal trade. At least for one of

the Sikh puppies rescued in north

London, a happy ending. This is him

now, adopted by the Met Police

officer who helped to save him.

He

definitely -- you definitely need to

be able to see both sets of parents,

their history, where they have come

from.

Yvonne Hall, BBC London news.

Heathrow Airport has

cut its estimated expansion costs

by over £2 billion as it

makes a new proposal

for a third runway.

It comes from reducing the space

needed and changes to building work.

The proposal will be put

to the public next year,

but there's already criticism

from campaign groups

who say the lower cost does

nothing to address fears

over environmental damage.

A court has heard how a homeless

man, who damaged a £24 million

Thomas Gainsborough painting

in the National Gallery

this year, did it because

a voice in his head

told him to.

Keith Gregory is accused

of slashing the painting

called The Morning Walk

using a drill bit.

He's pleaded not guilty

to the charge of causing criminal

damage by reason of insanity.

The case continues.

The much-awaited Crossrail

is in its final stages

and will open to the public

in 12 months' time.

So, the countdown has

begun,and to mark it,

Transport for London

has released a tube map to show us

how we'll be able to get around

when the Elizabeth line

is up and running.

There are positive noises about

London's next big infrastructure

project, Crossrail 2.

Our transport correspondent,

Tom Edwards, has been

taking a look at it.

These huge platforms

are at Farringdon Crossrail station

and in a year's time,

trains will be running through here.

Today news that in central London,

fares on the Elizabeth line will be

the same as the tube.

In terms of where it

covers normal TFL zones,

it will be exactly the same fare

structure because we recognise this

is going to take some

business from other lines,

of course it will, but we also know

people who perhaps have not used

the Central line or Jubilee line

in the last few years,

they perceive them to be very busy,

and they will, of course,

come back to using the underground

and that, of course,

is about supporting

London's continued growth.

The Elizabeth line will initially

start in three sections and already

there are plans for the next big

infrastructure project, Crossrail 2.

The cost?

£30 billion.

And the Government wants TFL

to raise half of that up front,

through business rates,

councils and developers.

City Hall admits the funding

is a big challenge.

We are absolutely confident

from the figures we have already

submitted that London can fund half

of the capital programme

that we would need for Crossrail 2.

It is not easy but we can do it.

The pay back, both in terms

of what comes to TFL

and the Treasury, but to London's

businesses and Londoners,

is fantastic.

Crossrail 2 will run

from south-west London and Surrey

through the capital to

Hertfordshire.

Today the Government

seemed positive.

So, do you think it will happen?

Yes, I believe it will.

There are some quite

specific capacity challenges

across the network in London

that still remain.

Crossrail 2 has the ability

to solve a number of them.

We need to make sure, therefore,

that we ensure Crossrail 2 tackles

the challenges we most need to be

tackled here in London.

As this huge engineering project

enters its final stages

to match London's growth,

the capital's already looking

at new infrastructure.

The challenge, as it was initially

on Crossrail, is funding.

Tom Edwards, BBC London news.

As many people wind down

from work as we approach Christmas,

there are still many jobs

which will be staffed,

like our servicemen and women.

We've been behind the scenes

with the Household Cavalry

as the Defence Secretary came

to thank them and all our Armed

Forces for their service.

Tolu Adeyoye reports.

They are the public face of the

British Army and the mounted escort

Her Majesty the Queen. The Household

Cavalry is the only's oldest and

most senior regiment.

Out on parade,

looking smart, clean, very good

tempered, the soldiers come down at

11am... They are here for 24 hours.

The horses do one hour on, one hour

off until 4pm in the evening. The

soldiers, the foot reliefs, they

will be on their feet for two hours,

staggered, until later.

I put my

tunic on, the jacket on underneath,

then I put on my cloak, and my

boots, my sword and scabbard. I do

up my cloak, helmet on, ready to go.

Household Cavalry soldiers are

trained for battle as one is

ceremonial duties. Today the Defence

Secretary came to thank them and all

the Armed Forces for their service

to the country. All of those present

today will be working over the

festive period.

Working Christmas

Day, not amazing, but being with the

lads, everyone brings spirits up.

I

chose to work Christmas so I could

have new years.

Tactical. What do

you love most about being part of

this regiment?

It is unique.

Nice to

be part of it.

Now, let's check on

the weather with Kate.

Good afternoon. We saw this morning,

dense freezing fog, but it was not

widespread, lots of people saw blue

skies first thing. We have held onto

sunny spells, the best day to enjoy

the sunshine, later, it will turning

cloudy. Coming in from the north,

still feeling quite chilly at least

for now. The cloud creeping in this

afternoon, first the north-west,

then covering all parts, for this

evening. Sunshine this afternoon in

south-west London. Not especially

warm. Temperatures struggling.

Overnight, the crowd spills down,

they for the odd spot of rain, but

most places dry. Prepare for missed

and murk. The temperature could rise

a little for some places as we head

through to dawn. Frost free as the

temperature is above Sarah. I'll do

start to tomorrow morning. -- above

zero. Mist and murk will lift into

low cloud, staying grey and gloomy

tomorrow. The temperature, however,

markedly different, 11, back up in

double figures. It stays mild for

the next few days. Temperatures into

the weekend staying in double

figures and mild at night as well.

Not cold at all.

That's it.

Victoria will be here with our next

news at 6.30pm on BBC One.

Until then, have a very

good afternoon.