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38 stories from and about Hackney, mostly council & politics, crime & safety, local news. The most recent ran on 12 September 2026. Page 2 of 2.
Jason Forde, 56, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 3 August after extradition from Barbados. He is accused of unlawful sexual activity with a vulnerable patient at Homerton Hospital in Hackney during the 2000s. He was remanded in custody ahead of a Crown Court hearing on 25 August.

Umbrella Workshop, a hidden 12-seater cocktail bar in Shoreditch, has been ranked London’s best by Time Out. The bar, known for inventive drinks like a martini with fish sauce, operates from a converted 19th-century workshop and supplies cocktails to nearby venues.
Five comedians with Hackney ties are refining their Edinburgh Fringe debuts at Work in Progress shows in London this summer. Freddie Meredith, Ele McKenzie and Harriet Richardson appear at Pleasance Courtyard venues, while Ania Magliano and Paddy Young perform at Monkey Barrel spaces.
A former nurse at Homerton Hospital in Hackney has been charged with unlawful sexual activity involving a woman treated for a mental disorder. Jason Forde appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 26 July 2026 after extradition from Barbados and was remanded in custody ahead of a Crown Court hearing.
Residents of Newcome House on Powell Road, Lower Clapton, have been without a working lift for over seven weeks. Hackney Council’s contractor is yet to secure a repair slot, leaving elderly and disabled residents to climb four flights of stairs daily. The council is spending £24 million to replace 120 lifts by 2027.
Diane Abbott has been readmitted to the Labour Party following a year-long suspension over antisemitism allegations. The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP received a formal warning for a tweet referring to the Israel Defense Forces as the 'Jewish Defence Force'. Joani Reid, MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, was also readmitted after her voluntary suspension.

Hannah Carson created Small Talks after struggling with social anxiety post-pandemic. The events, held at the Commercial Tavern in Shoreditch, use games and guest speakers to help attendees practise conversation skills. Three sessions have taken place since April 2026.
Sir Sadiq Khan has unveiled a £1.8 billion plan to clean up London's rivers and waterways over the next decade. The initiative, launched at Hackney's West Reservoir, aims to make 600km of water bodies swimmable and support wildlife.
Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbett has apologised for a 'serious mistake' after a letter to Haifa's Mayor set a consultation deadline of 7 October, the anniversary of Hamas attacks. The council voted to begin terminating the 58-year twinning arrangement.

Hackney’s support for young people leaving care has improved substantially, Ofsted found, with warm relationships and a dedicated hub praised. However, inspectors identified inconsistencies in supervision and health summaries, while housing progress remains partial.
A 20% business rates cut for nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues in England has been announced by the government. Hackney Council’s cabinet member for nightlife, Cllr Sam Mathys, said the measure is overdue but leaves key issues unresolved, including the exclusion of larger venues and delayed savings until next year.
Borough-wide and national stories that name Hackney or bear directly on it.
On 4 September 2026, three men received life sentences for the killing of Gregory Catillo Volquez on Tiverton Road, Haringey. The court set minimum terms of 22‑23 years, concluding a Metropolitan Police investigation that traced the attackers from Hackney to Spain.
Liam Shrivastava, Lewisham's first directly-elected Green Mayor, has passed his 100-day milestone. His administration has initiated a review into cooperation with immigration enforcement and reported clearing over 11,000 fly-tipping sites since May 2026.
The Metropolitan Police has increased its fleet of crime-fighting electric bikes from five to 25. This expansion is part of an initiative to combat street crime and phone theft across London, with the new bikes enabling officers to navigate traffic and pursue offenders more effectively. The move comes as neighbourhood crime has seen a significant decrease.
Barnet Council is one of nine London boroughs already using cemeteries outside its boundaries due to limited space, a City Hall audit reveals. With 17 councils predicted to run out of burial capacity by 2040, residents may face longer journeys to visit graves or delays in local burials.
Thirteen London boroughs, including Brent, have received a share of £500,000 to expand al fresco dining and street events this summer. Deputy Mayor for Business Howard Dawber said demand from councils exceeded the funding, while footfall rose by up to 85% in some areas last year.
Islington’s Hornsey Street Waste Transfer Station suffered its fourth fire in 14 months on 28 July 2026, causing at least £1 million in damage. Officials say improper disposal of rechargeable batteries is driving the blazes, while the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill remains stuck in Parliament.

Time Out London’s latest restaurant lists name 21 halal and barbecue venues spanning 12 boroughs, revealing how local communities shape the capital’s food identity. The selections include Michelin-starred Mayfair spots alongside Walthamstow family-run eateries.
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