0:00:01 > 0:00:03That's all from me, stay with us on BBC1.
0:00:03 > 0:00:04It's time for the news where you are.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Good evening and welcome to BBC London News.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18I'm Sonja Jessup.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21A Met police chief has accused the private car hire firm Uber
0:00:21 > 0:00:23of failing to report serious crimes, including sex assaults,
0:00:23 > 0:00:26in order to protect its reputation.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Inspector Neil Billenny has written to Transport for London,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32claiming officers are being kept in the dark about some offences.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Uber insists it always works closely with the police.
0:00:34 > 0:00:41Dan Freedman has this report.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43It's quick, it's easy, but is it dangerous?
0:00:43 > 0:00:46A senior Met police officer says Uber are turning a blind eye
0:00:46 > 0:00:50when drivers are accused of serious crimes by passengers.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53In a letter to TfL he cites the example of a driver
0:00:53 > 0:00:55who denies a sexual assault, continues to work for Uber,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58but then allegedly commits a more serious sexual assault
0:00:58 > 0:00:59while working.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Uber did not tell the police.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07I think anyone travelling by private hire vehicle in London wants to know
0:01:07 > 0:01:10that vehicle is going to be safe and their driver is safe.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12And I think this raises very, very serious concerns
0:01:12 > 0:01:15about the operation of Uber.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18And if the police have got those serious concerns,
0:01:18 > 0:01:20then clearly Transport for London will need to look
0:01:20 > 0:01:23at that as they review the license going forward.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25But Uber say the serious sexual assault was a hug
0:01:25 > 0:01:27that, while inappropriate, might not have prevented
0:01:27 > 0:01:29the second incident if reported.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32In the second incident, the driver placed their hand
0:01:32 > 0:01:33on a passenger's leg.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36They add that if there is a serious incident
0:01:36 > 0:01:37involving a licensed driver, they are prevented
0:01:37 > 0:01:41from using the app and TfL is promptly notified.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44They were reviewed in May, and in May they were given
0:01:44 > 0:01:46another four months' license, and they really shouldn't have
0:01:46 > 0:01:50been given one in May.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53You see all the correspondence from the police to TfL warning
0:01:53 > 0:01:59them what's going on, and TfL have abdicated responsiblity.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02TfL say...
0:02:08 > 0:02:10More than a million Uber journeys happen every single week in London.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13It's clearly popular with some customers, but this is
0:02:13 > 0:02:16bad news at a very important time for the company,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18with Transport for London currently reviewing whether to extend
0:02:18 > 0:02:20their license or grant them a five-year one when
0:02:20 > 0:02:28it expires in September.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Passengers flying into Stansted Airport have
0:02:30 > 0:02:32had their flights diverted - some to the East Midlands -
0:02:32 > 0:02:41after the runway was closed for a time for maintenance work.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44The captain of a Ryanair flight, with a BBC reporter on board,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46told passengers there was a hole in the runway.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48The airport says operations have returned to normal.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Tens of thousands of people in Hertfordshire have been
0:02:50 > 0:02:53celebrating a Hindu festival today marking the birth of Krishna.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Organisers say the event in Watford is one of the largest
0:02:55 > 0:02:57of its kind outside of India.
0:02:57 > 0:03:03Here's Ayshea Buksh.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06It's one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar
0:03:06 > 0:03:08and at the UK headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement
0:03:08 > 0:03:10near Watford, this annual celebration of Lord Krishna's
0:03:10 > 0:03:16birthday certainly draws in the crowds.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Lord Krishna is often depicted with blue skin, playing the flute,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21and is regarded as the god of love and compassion.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26His birthday is also known as Janmashtami.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29The Hare Krishna lifestyle and Janmashtami is all about world
0:03:29 > 0:03:35peace and happiness but it begins with inner peace, then we can have
0:03:35 > 0:03:37global peace and that's what we want to introduce
0:03:37 > 0:03:39to everyone, that inner peace through yoga and meditation
0:03:39 > 0:03:45and through the chanting of God's holy names.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49Throughout the day, visitors pray inside the temple manor house,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51which was originally donated by Beatles George Harrison,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and on the grounds of the house they are entertained by music
0:03:54 > 0:04:00and song and given a free vegetarian meal.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05It's a special day of the year for us and so I'm just going to see
0:04:05 > 0:04:08the festival and for her to see the festival for the first time,
0:04:08 > 0:04:09it's our little daughter.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12We have a local temple celebrating at home as well but to be amongst
0:04:12 > 0:04:17the people and connected to people is a great thing.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19And for all generations, the celebrations will carry
0:04:19 > 0:04:22on late into the night.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Let's get the weather now - here's Wendy Hurrell.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30Good evening.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34It's not often that the weather is so perfect you can fly a hot air
0:04:34 > 0:04:36balloon across London first thing in the morning,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38but it was this morning.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40And tomorrow morning, well, it's a warm start.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42That will turn more hazy as the day goes on,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45but it should stay mostly dry, and temperatures could get as high
0:04:45 > 0:04:47as 24 degrees in London.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Most of the rain falling this week should be at night.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52Well, that's it from me.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Victoria Hollins will be here tomorrow morning with updates
0:04:55 > 0:04:56during BBC Breakfast.
0:04:56 > 0:04:57Goodnight.