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Westminster news
88 stories from and about Westminster, mostly council & politics, crime & safety, culture & arts. The most recent ran on 13 September 2026. Page 1 of 5.
Reported from Westminster
Culture & Arts · WestminsterSoho residents gain new two‑storey arcade bar with 60 games
NQ64 has opened its largest arcade bar yet in Soho, occupying two floors at Orange Yard on Manette Street. The venue houses more than 60 arcade machines, UV‑lit pool tables, AR darts and two cocktail bars, while a Vevo study notes that 65% of Gen Z feel borrowed nostalgia for the era the bar celebrates.
Westminster4 min readTrust 74 · Craft 72 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · WestminsterOxford Street pedestrianisation set to go traffic‑free in October
Transport for London says work on the Oxford Street pedestrian scheme will start soon, with the first section expected to close to traffic in October 2026. Westminster’s Conservative leader claims the mayor shortcut the process, while the government confirmed no assessment was needed.
Westminster3 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 32- Crime & Safety · Westminster
Noel Clarke to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on sexual offence charges
Noel Clarke, 50, has been charged with two sexual assaults, three voyeurism offences and one exposure. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving five women from 2007 to 2016. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 21 October.
Westminster3 min readTrust 80 · Craft 70 · Hype 10 
Council & Politics · WestminsterMayfair restaurant stays open after Westminster licence conditions imposed
A throat‑slashing incident on 10 August at the Mistress of Mayfair left patron Rhys Copas with an 8 cm wound. Westminster City Council’s Licensing Sub‑Committee has permitted the venue to stay open, but only if it follows strict new licence conditions and has replaced its former general manager.
Westminster3 min readTrust 68 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Crime & Safety · WestminsterMan killed in Abbey Orchard Street stabbing; trial of 18‑year‑old continues
Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, travelled from Leeds to Abbey Orchard Street in Westminster on 27 March, where he stabbed Farmanullah Sherzad to death. The suspect was arrested two days later and is now facing murder charges at the Old Bailey.
Westminster4 min readTrust 68 · Craft 95 · Hype 33
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth councils challenge £100m funding cut
Council leaders from Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth sent a letter to the Prime Minister on 20 August, warning that the Fairer Funding Review will strip £108 million, £100 million and £84 million respectively over four years. They intend to use legal powers to contest the cuts, while residents face possible tax hikes and service reductions.
Westminster3 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Local News · Westminster47 arrested as Just Stop Oil protesters glue themselves to Parliament Square road
Forty-seven people were arrested for public order offences after Just Stop Oil protesters glued themselves to the road outside Parliament on 24 July. About 30 demonstrators disrupted traffic, leading to bus diversions and road closures during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Westminster4 min readTrust 66 · Craft 87 · Hype 30
Business · WestminsterRoyal Lancaster London Hotel receives food hygiene rating of 2
The Royal Lancaster London Hotel, rated the UK's best on TripAdvisor, has been given a food hygiene rating of 2 by the Food Standards Agency. The inspection found mouse droppings in the pastry kitchen and issues with cleaning of can openers.
Westminster3 min readTrust 68 · Craft 95 · Hype 32- Crime & Safety · Westminster
Police appeal for witnesses after Covent Garden rape
Detectives are appealing for information after a woman in her 20s was raped in Covent Garden in the early hours of Saturday, 22 August. Police have released CCTV images of a man they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the incident.
Westminster2 min readTrust 74 · Craft 80 · Hype 15 
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster tenant ordered to repay £494,415 for housing fraud
A Westminster City Council tenant has been ordered to repay more than £494,000 after fraudulently obtaining a flat and illegally subletting it. Saeed Yasin Hosseini also received a £100,000 discount when buying the property under the Right to Buy scheme.
Westminster3 min readTrust 78 · Craft 80 · Hype 45
Council & Politics · WestminsterFormer tenant ordered to pay £494k for council flat fraud
Westminster City Council has secured a Confiscation Order of £494,415.52 against former tenant Saeed Yasin Hosseini. He was found to have fraudulently obtained a council property in Pimlico and illegally sublet it before purchasing it under the Right to Buy scheme.
Westminster3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Culture & Arts · WestminsterOver 65 artworks missing from Parliament this year
More than 65 artworks have been listed as missing from the Houses of Parliament since the start of 2024. Parliamentary authorities are searching for items including portraits and engravings, though none have been written off as a financial loss.
Westminster3 min readTrust 74 · Craft 77 · Hype 30
Local News · WestminsterWestminster residents invited to free Silver Sunday film and tea
Westminster City Council is hosting a free Silver Sunday event on Sunday, 4 October 2026, featuring a film screening and afternoon tea. The event, with a capacity for 70 attendees, will take place at St. James The Less Church and Lillington Gardens Community Centre.
Westminster2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 10
Council & Politics · WestminsterMistress of Mayfair loses licence after throat-slashing attack in St James's Street
Westminster City Council has suspended the licence of the Mistress of Mayfair after a man's throat was slashed in an attack on 10 August. The Met Police reported failures in ID scanning and security, leading to the temporary closure of the St James's Street venue pending a full review.
Westminster4 min readTrust 74 · Craft 80 · Hype 35
Crime & Safety · WestminsterTeenager stabbed on Edgware Road in broad daylight, police seek witnesses
A 19-year-old man was stabbed on Edgware Road at 1.30pm on Sunday. Police confirmed the victim’s injuries are not life-threatening but no arrests have been made. Officers are appealing for witnesses to contact them with information.
Westminster3 min readTrust 54 · Craft 60 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster Council moves to close Charing Cross soup kitchen over safety fears
Westminster Council has threatened to shut down a weekly soup kitchen in Charing Cross, citing safety risks from large crowds and complaints about antisocial behaviour. The charity running the service says council demands, including a waste disposal licence, are making it harder to support homeless residents.
Westminster5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 21
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster Council investigates Soho short-term let after noise complaints
Westminster City Council is investigating a short-term let in Soho after a resident documented months of noise disturbances. The flat above Yusuf’s home has been let to guests, prompting complaints about loud music, suitcases and slamming doors. No enforcement notice has been issued yet.
Westminster5 min readTrust 82 · Craft 73 · Hype 20
Local News · WestminsterBarbie the cat and kittens rescued from 45°C Pimlico boiler room
A mother cat and her three kittens were rescued from a 45°C boiler room in Pimlico after residents reported persistent meowing. Westminster City Council’s animal warden carried out the rescue. One kitten was put down, another has a heart condition, and the remaining two have been rehomed.
Westminster4 min readTrust 64 · Craft 80 · Hype 30- Crime & Safety · Westminster
Met officer Timothy Fory sentenced for stalking ex-girlfriend Stephanie Lane
A Metropolitan Police officer, formerly with the Directorate of Professional Standards, has been sentenced for stalking his ex-girlfriend. Timothy Fory, 34, received a 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work and a five-year restraining order. He will face an accelerated misconduct hearing.
Westminster5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 15 
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster licensing plan keeps standing drinking but seeks more seating
Westminster City Council’s draft licensing policy, open for consultation until 11 August 2026, proposes more seating in bars and restaurants to discourage excessive drunkenness. The council insists it will not ban standing drinking, despite reports suggesting otherwise. Residents and businesses remain divided over the impact on Soho’s nightlife.
Westminster5 min readTrust 78 · Craft 95 · Hype 45
Also affecting Westminster
Borough-wide and national stories that name Westminster or bear directly on it.
Property & Planning · LambethLambeth Council approves £2bn Vauxhall development with reduced affordable housing
Lambeth Council has approved a £2 billion development in Vauxhall, featuring 1,097 flats and 1,164 co-living units across seven buildings. The decision follows concerns over reduced affordable housing and high carbon emissions, with developers contributing £79.9 million off-site.
Lambeth4 min readTrust 70 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Council & Politics · LondonMan who harassed MP Stella Creasy on Tube spared jail
Clifford Wilby, 63, has been given a suspended prison sentence and a five-year restraining order after harassing Labour MP Stella Creasy on a Victoria Line train. The incident occurred on July 15 last year, when Wilby blocked Ms Creasy's exit and filmed her.
London3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 75 · Hype 45- Local News · London
London constituencies record the lowest depression rates in England
Data from the House of Commons Library show nine of the ten UK constituencies with the smallest share of diagnosed depression are in London, led by Brent West at 6.66%. The capital also hosts the nation’s lowest neighbourhood rate at 4.2% in St John's Wood North.
London3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 70 · Hype 45 
Crime & Safety · City of LondonCheapside bike thief jailed after public help
A man who used an angle grinder to steal a bicycle on Cheapside has been sentenced to 24 weeks in prison. Christopher Forrester was apprehended by City of London Police following a chase, with assistance from a member of the public.
City of London2 min readTrust 66 · Craft 77 · Hype 45
Council & Politics · WandsworthBarnet joins London councils to challenge £292m funding cut
Barnet Council has joined three inner-London boroughs in a formal challenge to government funding reforms that would remove £292 million over four years. The councils say the cuts threaten essential services and will force council tax rises. Residents can respond through a survey open until 15 October 2026.
Wandsworth5 min readTrust 64 · Craft 80 · Hype 35
Local News · GreenwichGreenwich seeks clarity on two-day London Marathon 2027
Organisers of the 2027 London Marathon are being urged to provide clear arrangements for residents and businesses in Greenwich. The event, scheduled for April 24 and 25, is expected to raise £150 million for charity but raises concerns about two days of disruption.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 70 · Hype 20
Transport & TfL · BrentFirefighters Tackle Blaze on Hannah Close, Neasden
A large fire at a mixed waste facility on Hannah Close in Neasden on 28 August 2026 required the response of approximately 125 firefighters. The incident led to the closure of sections of the Metropolitan line and severe delays on the Jubilee line.
Brent3 min readTrust 74 · Craft 85 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · LondonJames Cleverly quits shadow cabinet for London Mayor bid
Sir James Cleverly has resigned from the Conservative shadow cabinet to pursue selection as the party's candidate for London Mayor in 2028. He stated the capital needs a champion prepared to fight for its future.
London3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 70 · Hype 20
Crime & Safety · LondonMet Police restrict UKIP anti-Islam march over disorder fears
The Metropolitan Police has imposed restrictions on a UK Independence Party (UKIP) anti-Islam march planned for central London this weekend. The decision, made under the Public Order Act, aims to prevent serious disorder and disruption.
London3 min readTrust 58 · Craft 95 · Hype 35- Council & Politics · All London
Met Police E-bike Fleet Grows to 25 to Tackle Street Crime
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.
All London3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45 
Council & Politics · LondonPoll: Labour leads, Reform UK second in 2028 mayoral race
A new poll for the 2028 London mayoral election places Labour in the lead with 33% support. Reform UK's candidate, Laila Cunningham, is shown in second place with 20% support, potentially challenging Labour in the final run-off.
London3 min readTrust 74 · Craft 87 · Hype 70
Transport & TfL · LondonLime bikes withdrawn from Penge after resident complaints
Lime has withdrawn its e-bikes from Penge, Bromley, following complaints from blind residents who were forced into the road by improperly parked vehicles. Bromley Council had previously told Lime to stop operating in the borough as it lacked a contract.
London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Local News · LondonLondon life expectancy gap spans 15 years
New figures from the Office for National Statistics show a 15-year difference in average life expectancy between London's neighbourhoods. The City of London has the highest borough average, while East Village in Stratford has the lowest neighbourhood average.
London3 min readTrust 68 · Craft 95 · Hype 55
Transport & TfL · LondonTfL fare evasion cost could reach £211m annually, review reveals
Transport for London (TfL) may be losing up to £211 million annually to fare evasion, a figure potentially £20 million higher than previously reported. An internal review acknowledged data limitations lead to a 10 percent reduction in the estimated loss.
London3 min readTrust 68 · Craft 79 · Hype 32
Council & Politics · London£168.3m pledged to house London rough sleepers by Christmas
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged £168.3 million to reduce rough sleeping in London by Christmas, with Barnet-based charity Homeless Action in Barnet allocated £330,997. The funding aims to provide emergency accommodation and support services, though no fixed duration for housing offers has been set.
London5 min readTrust 58 · Craft 72 · Hype 30
Property & Planning · LondonBarnet homes now take 52 days to sell as London market slows
Barnet residents selling homes are waiting nearly a week longer than last year, with properties now taking 52 days on average to secure a buyer. The increase mirrors a wider slowdown across London, where 23 of 32 boroughs report longer sale times amid higher mortgage rates and rising inventory.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 87 · Hype 18
Crime & Safety · LondonClifford Wilby convicted of harassing Stella Creasy on Victoria line train
A 63-year-old man from east London was found guilty of harassing Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy after blocking her exit, shouting about knife crime, and filming her on a Victoria line train on 15 July 2025. Passengers intervened before she escaped at Finsbury Park.
London5 min readTrust 86 · Craft 95 · Hype 12
Council & Politics · LondonMansion tax to cost four London boroughs £270m from April 2028
Four London boroughs have told Chancellor John Healey that their residents will pay £270m of the £430m annual mansion tax, due to start in April 2028. The levy of £2,500 to £7,500 on homes worth over £2m will not fund local services, council leaders said.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · LondonTaxpayers spent £150,000 on Banksy artworks in London
Three Banksy artworks in London have cost nearly £150,000 in public funds, including £85,000 for a mural at the Royal Courts of Justice. Councils and government bodies spent the money on security, removal attempts and administration, sparking debate over public art and heritage.
London4 min readTrust 86 · Craft 95 · Hype 35
Crime & Safety · LondonBarnet retailers gain direct police link for shoplifting evidence
Retailers in Barnet can now submit CCTV footage and witness statements directly to police within hours of a shoplifting incident. The platform, already used in six London boroughs, has increased case resolutions from 7.3% to 29.4%. Smaller shops say cost remains a barrier.
London5 min readTrust 68 · Craft 73 · Hype 20