LBC

An armed police officer had ‘a genuine held belief’ that he and his colleagues would be killed if he didn’t shoot Chris Kaba in South London, a court has heard.

The 24-year-old Black man was shot through a windscreen by Martyn Blake, now 40, on September 5, 2022, as the car he was driving was being pursued through Streatham.

The Old Bailey heard that police vehicles had been planning a tactical stop of the Audi Q8, which had been linked to a shooting in Brixton the night before but as it turned from New Park Road onto Kirkstall Gardens, “plans had to change”.

A Metropolitan Police marksman is due to go on trial later over the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba.

Martyn Blake, 40, is accused of the murder of 24-year-old Mr Kaba in south London on September 6 2022.

Mr Kaba died after being shot once in the head through the windscreen of an Audi car in Kirstall Gardens, Streatham.

Blake, who in the case was formerly referred to as NX121, has denied the charge against him.

His trial is being heard before Mr Justice Goss at the Old Bailey and is expected to go on for up to three weeks.

The Transport Secretary has said that decisions over 20mph zones and low traffic neighbourhoods should be left to local councils, rather than central government.

Louise Haigh said that the previous government became embroiled in "culture wars" over traffic restrictions, which she wanted to avoid.

She said the Department for Transport's (DfT) would give its "full support" to authorities in England that wanted to roll out 20mph schemes, adding that local residents should be consulted in advance.

A teenager is fighting for his life after being stabbed in the chest at a playground in Streatham Common on Saturday.

The 18-year-old victim was stabbed in the playground area of the popular south London park in a shocking act of violence that has left the local community reeling.

"This is getting ridiculous,kids should be supporting each other,not stabbing," said one Facebook user.

The teen was rushed to a hospital where he remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries from the knife attack.

The number of UK bank branches to close in the past nine years has surpassed 6,000.

Barclays is closing eight more of its branches for good on Friday, taking the total by the end of the day to 6,005.

It equates to over 60% of the bank branch network since consumer group Which? began tracking closures in 2015.

The milestone highlights the impact closures have had on high streets and the need to provide replacement services for millions who still rely on them, Which? said.

LTNs to be banned if they do not have public support under new Government rules

Councils will be banned from bringing in hated low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) without public consultation under new Government plans. Picture: Alamy

Councils will be banned from bringing in hated low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) without public buy-in under new Government plans.

New guidance for councils from the Department for Transport (DfT) says that the public must be supportive of the controversial road schemes before they can sign off on plans.

A low-traffic neighbourhood scheme in south London has been suspended after sparking fury among locals for causing huge delays to public transport and a build-up of congestion on roads.

Lambeth Council confirmed on Thursday that the low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) scheme in Streatham Wells had been suspended with immediate effect.

The trial scheme was cut short following "concerns about public transport delays", the council said in a statement.

Moped gunmen victims in Clapham were not 'deliberately targeted' as police release new information amid manhunt

Three people have been injured following a shooting in Clapham. Picture: Alamy

Moped shooters in Clapham did not deliberately target two women aged 27 and 36 injured by shotgun pellets as a firearm was dropped, police say as they search for the culprits.

The two women were injured by shotgun pellets when the weapon was fired from the scooter.

The Mayor of London has revealed changes will be coming to the Streatham Wells Low Traffic Neighbourhood which has seen huge delays to public transport and caused huge amounts of congestion.

In South London's Streatham Wells, a newly implemented low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) has sparked significant congestion issues, causing severe delays for buses travelling along its perimeter.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Camden, Leicester Square McDonald’s after 9pm, anywhere near the Streatham LTN. Bits of Chelsea.