Transcription
Thanks, Sophie. Coming up on the program, Airbnb and some London councils share data to find those illegally subletting social homes on rental platforms. It's part of a crackdown on what the government calls social housing fraud.
Within days, we've found almost 500 cases of suspected fraud involved, and that's social homes that can be being used for those that truly need it. Also on the program, a neo-Nazi from Essex who was plotting a gun attack has been jailed for 13 years after being caught in an MI5 sting. Plus, a warning to parents about the dangers of open water swimming.
What days these are for Arthur Ferry.
And Londoner Arthur Ferry makes it through to the semifinals of Wimbledon. Good evening and welcome to the program. I'm Alice Bandukravi.
Airbnb and several London councils have begun sharing data to identify social homes being illegally sublet on short-term rental platforms. It's part of a crackdown on what the government calls social housing fraud. According to the fraud tenency forum, an estimated 1,000 social homes are illegally sublet on Airbnb in London each year. But some campaign groups say the move will do little to alleviate the housing crisis. Our work and money correspondent Megan Owen has the details.
So, this is where we believe um one of the lock boxes as well was was located for the uh Airbnb and Booking.com activity. Over the past few months, neighbors at this block of flats in King's Cross have been doing some detective work. They're convinced that one of the social homes here has been sublet on short-term rental platforms.
Recently, there's been lots of um people coming and going with suitcases and people that we just don't know who they are. They're not they're not residents of the building. We've had um you know damage to uh carpets, lifts, communal doors. Um, you know, these people because they don't live here and it is commercial activity. A lot of coming and going you know every three days every week or whatever it may be and it can be in some cases multiple people. You know, we're not just taking one or two, it could be groups up to six or eight occupying a one-bedroom property. We've seen adverts on Booking.com and Airbnb which appear to be for a social home, although can't independently verify it's the same property.
Social homes are meant for those who can't afford normal market rates. But nearly 6,000 in England are thought to be illegally sublet on short-term rental platforms. Each one estimated to cost the taxpayer on average of nearly £80,000.
I think that's why it's so important. Local councils and Airbnb have begun sharing data to identify them, cross-checking council records with online listings.
Since this initiative started, this pilot has started, within days, we've found almost 500 cases of suspected fraud involved, and that's social homes that can be being used for those that truly need it. Campaign groups say that whilst they welcome this move, they say it's a distraction and actually uh the government should be doing more to help house the thousands of families on social housing waiting lists. Is this enough given that we're in the middle of a housing crisis?
We're investing over 39 billion pounds to ensure there's homes that people that truly need it and that's exactly what we're focused on.
Fraudsters could face fines, prison sentences, or their home taken away. Westminster Council taking part in the scheme says it will make identifying illegally sublet social homes more efficient.
This is the tip of the iceberg. What we've done for the last few years is that our city inspectors and housing officers have actually had to play detective. With 19th century approaches of looking for the key boxes, getting info from neighbors with the platforms like Airbnb and thank you to them. We can block our social housing estates being used for this illegal purpose. They should be social homes.
Booking.com said they would take action if owners don't comply with local laws and Airbnb said social housing fraud had no place on their platform. Notting Hill Genesis, who owned the block in King's Cross, said they take a zero tolerance approach to teny fraud and will take action if proven, but cannot discuss individual cases. It's hoped the new data sharing will see more illegally let flats confiscated and given to one of the thousands of families in desperate need of a social home. Megan Owen, BBC London.
A neo-Nazi from Essex who planned a mass gun attack has been jailed for 13 and a half years after he was caught in an MI5 sting. Alfie Coleman was lured to a car park in East London where he bought a gun and 200 rounds of ammunition from undercover officers. Weapons and manifestos with potential targets were found in his bedroom. Our reporter Thomas McIll has been in court.
Neo-Nazi Alfie Coleman picking up a handgun and ammunition from the boot of a car at a Morrison's car park in Stratford. MI5 agents had lured the teenager here after he'd paid thousands of pounds to a person he thought was an armed salesman. It was in fact undercover police officers. Today, Coleman, who was 19 at the time, was sentenced to 13 and a half years for preparing terrorist acts, writing racist manifestos, and plotting to kill. All from his bedroom in Great Notly in Essex.
Throughout sentencing, Coleman wiped his eyes with a tissue and looked visibly upset as Judge Richard Marx Casey described him as a dangerous offender who continued to make racist notes after he was arrested in prison. But he also said he had to consider his age at the time of some of the offenses and other mitigating factors when deciding his punishment.
Your age, immaturity, autistic spectrum disorder traits, anxiety, vulnerability, lack of previous convictions, and the absence of actual physical harm caused by you. All in my judgment, weigh heavily against a discretionary life sentence.
Good to see you. How's it going? Thanks.
Among his targets was the mayor of London, Sadi Khan, whose home postcode was found on his phone. He had also plotted to hijack a private jet in Saudi Arabia. During a raid of his home, officers also found other weapons, including these knives and a bottle with a rag capable of being a petrol bomb alongside other offensive items.
Coleman's radicalization started when he was 14, a trend officers say is becoming more common.
Unfortunately, we're seeing younger and younger individuals um getting radicalized online and there's an awful lot of material, horrific material online um that is influencing young people. It's not known what devastation Alfie Coleman's deadly actions would have caused, but for now, the white supremacist and dangerous individual is starting a sentence behind bars. Thomas McIll, BBC London.
To northeast London now, where a man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after police received reports of a racially aggravated assault outside a mosque in Waltham Forest. The incident happened on the high road in Leighton. Aisha Bak is here and could tell us more. What do we know, Aisha?
Well, Alice, this happened outside the Nor Islam mosque on Leighton High Road in Waltham Forest. Police say they were called there just before 10:00 last night. They say they found a man in his 50s who had been assaulted and subjected to racist abuse. Um, he was taken to hospital and the police say his injuries were not life-threatening or lifechanging. A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He sustained a head injury and was also taken to hospital. Um, now the Norlam mosque has been in that area for over 30 years. This happened after evening prayers and a spokesperson has told the BBC that the congregation are worried about what happened and everyone is shaken. They have increased security. The victim uh is still upset but has been discharged from hospital. Um, the police have said they've also increased patrols in the local area and ask for anyone with any information about what happened to please come forward.
Okay, thanks for that Aisha. Lots more to come, including a warning about the future of women's football as new research suggests grassroots clubs are facing a growing funding crisis. And I'll have more reaction from S SW19 as Arthur Ferry's remarkable Wimbledon run continues. The Londoner is through to the semifinals.
Just over a week ago, a 13-year-old boy drowned at the Royal Victoria Dock. He was one of around 20 people who've died in water related incidents across the UK during recent hot spells of weather, many of them children and teenagers. Today, the Port of London Authority, which is responsible for navigational safety on the Thames, is calling for more safety information for families to stop the rising number of deaths related to open water swimming. Tua Deoier has more.
People have been enjoying the sunshine here at Robhive Beach without getting into the water. But it is a grim fact that when the temperature goes up, so does the number of accidental drownings. And the risk is greater the hotter the weather. Now, if we look out there from the banks, the water looks relatively calm, looks uh inviting, but we know that underneath the surface, there are risks. And with London now in its third heat wave, this new campaign is looking to warn uh younger people specifically to be aware of those dangers. The summer of a lifetime, but how quickly things can turn.
I can make that.
This social media video has been released by the Port of London Authority.
I could definitely make that.
As part of a new campaign to warn 10 to 16 year olds of the dangers of open water. Get out. The number of children who've died in drowning incidents in London in the last 5 years has almost doubled. And we want to get the message out really clearly. See the river, see the risks. And the risks are things like the tide going up and down by 7 meters. The water flows faster than an Olympic swimmer can swim. It's busy. There are underwater hazards and it's dark. So don't go in the river. If you see somebody in the river, don't go in after them. Call for help. Throw in something that's buoyant, something that floats. They can grab on to get 999 called.
Almost like it's a giant frisbee. I'm just going to go round up and over and out.
TFL workers being trained on how to help someone who might be in difficulty. More than 20 people have died in water related incidents during the UK's recent hot spells, many of them children and teenagers. With the summer holidays approaching, the safety messaging is being stepped up by different agencies across London, Essex, and Kent. At the Greywick Leisure Center in Maiden Head, the fire service has joined forces with Olympic swimmer Tom Dean to spread the safety message.
When the weather gets warm, people are going to get into bodies of water. It's human nature. I love it. I encourage the sport. Swimming is a fantastic outlet for all ages and abilities, but it has to be done safely.
Look at me.
Good girl. Well done.
We want people, young people and adults, to understand the dangers of water. And the more interaction we can give, which is why we do these events to educate the public, don't go in the water, you know, and if you do see someone in the water, call us. That's what we're trained for. 999. We will come and come and sort it out.
I've learned the safety code and I've learned um what you do if someone's struggling.
Always go swimming with an adult.
Did you learn anything else? Um,
yes. So, if you're in danger, do a star float.
Help.
A new framework for water safety education will launch in schools in England from September. Designed to build life-saving skills and an understanding of the risks of the water. But with the summer holidays about to start, there is no time to wait. With a message on safety around open water more important than ever. Tuluo Adelier, BBC London.
A quick look at some other news now. A van driver from South London's been arrested after a highways worker was killed overnight in a collision on the M23 at Cwley. The motorway was closed for much of the day affecting drivers heading to Gatwick. Traders at Brixton Village and Market, which has been put up for sale by its private equity owners, are one step closer to being able to buy it and run it themselves. Labath Council has given its special community status, which gives the 175 independent traders 6 months to raise funds. The site is said to be worth £50 million. And Buckingham Palace's picture gallery has undergone a major transformation ready for the summer opening. The number of masterpieces on display has almost doubled and the gallery has changed in color from coral pink to emerald green. Paintings by Reuben's and Caravajio are among those on show for visitors.
Now, the Lioness's transformed women's football in England, inspiring a new generation. But as the country looks forward to England's men's World Cup quarterfinal this weekend, a warning is being sounded about the future of the women's game. New research suggests grassroots clubs are facing a growing funding crisis with some forced to turn girls away. Now England stars Allesia Russo and Jill Scott are calling for greater investment to ensure the next generation has somewhere to play. Alpha Patel has the story.
It was an historic moment. Four years ago, the Lionesses won the European Championship. Three years later, they did it again, retaining their title.
We're going to take two touches and then just go to the back of the queue. Okay.
Players like Jill Scott helping to transform the women's game and inspire a new generation. But she and other campaigners say demand is far higher than the opportunities out there. We're trying to get more girls into the game, but we need these clubs to obviously be able to provide a safe space, provide kit, equipment. So the initiative that I'm taking part in at the minute is trying to link these teams with local businesses who can kind of give them a sponsorship, help them out, um, and yeah, just to try and keep as many girls in the game as possible.
New research by Stling Bank has found a growing funding crisis. One in five clubs say they've already had to turn players away because of a lack of resources. Is something the girls here at Holland Park Secondary School recognize.
It does really make me sad. I can tell girls they really do love football. Some girls are like better than boys and I want girls to show their talent, show what they're made of so that they can be on the pitch one day, make their parents proud and be happy.
Some of my friends, um, they've tried to get into a few football teams, but they haven't been able to because of spaces being filled out or just not enough coaches there to help people. I would really like to play football, but sometimes there's just not the right opportunities.
Lioness and Arsenal player Alysia Russo is also backing the call for local businesses to sponsor grassroots teams and help provide more places for girls to play.
If you have that connection and that passion to football, um, it's a great opportunity for local businesses to partner with. And who knows, you could partner with a young girl and she could go on to play for England and she'll remember the investment that you put in uh to her career and I think that's the most rewarding thing from it.
I think some of the girls here today are fantastic players and we were speaking to them and they say they want to be a lioness and you love that they've got that dream because the lionesses are so visible now and sometimes if you can't see it, you can't dream it.
Jill Scott here today. What was that like um training with her? It was like really it was like a dream come true. Um, very exciting because it's very amazing to look up to someone that's very skilled in football.
The Lionesses have shown what's possible. The challenge now is to ensure the next Jill Scott or Alysia Russo isn't watching from the sidelines. Alfa Battel, BBC London.
Lots more to come, including Londoner Arthur Ferry stuns Wimbledon with a win that takes him to the semifinals. And we follow the journey of a humble strawberry from the field to SW19. Let's take a look at the BBC News app now. A Surrey NHS trust has said it'll improve conditions after temperatures on wards hit 35° during recent heat waves. Find out how a PC from Essex got a bravery award for saving a girl back in 2024. And traps have been put in place to catch American mink along the river Mole to stop them attacking other wildlife. For those stories and more, head to the BBC News app.
Now, nine days ago, few people outside the world of tennis had heard of Londoner Arthur Ferry. That has quickly changed thanks to the 23-year-old's remarkable run at Wimbledon. He's the first British player ever to enter the championships as a wild card and to make it as far as the quarterfinals. Today, that quarterfinal took place on center court as he played the biggest match of his life. Our sports reporter Chris Sleg is in SW19 where the home crowd has been cheering him on. Chris, over to you.
Yeah, Alice, we can't resist calling it a fairy tale and Arthur Ferry just keeps writing new chapters as you will see from the scenes on center court just over an hour ago when he beat the number nine seed and the recent French Open runner up Flavio Kabali in straight sets, winning the final set, six love. The Queen was among those watching on center court. Also in the crowd, his very first coach from the local Westside club, not at all far from here, Allison Taylor. And I asked her whether that talent had always been evident.
From the first time I gave Arthur a lesson, you could just see his athleticism, his footwork, uh, just was brilliant. So, as a junior, he didn't overplay. He um played all different sports and you could see at the age, you know, he wasn't the top in any of his age groups in in junior tennis, but he was always near the top and he just had this this confidence, this determination and can see what a fighter he is that he deals with the pressure incredibly well.
And does everyone back at the club where it all started, Westside, you know, feel the pride of this achievement? You know, I think all of Britain feels the pride uh in in him and um anybody that has been associated with uh Arthur obviously just feels immense pride and uh it's just an amazing story.
It really is an amazing story. Only the fifth British man in the open era to reach a Wimbledon semi-final. Only the second wild card in the men's draw ever to reach the semifinal. Earlier the former British number one John Lloyd told me he thinks this is just the start of something special.
Arthur has just uh it's been amazing really. It's almost like he's grown as a player just during these two weeks. I mean, we we saw how special he was at Queens and various other events, and you you look at him, you go, "Okay, this guy's got something." But did we really know he's got this much and and to do it this quickly and to be as composed? And there's something special about him. And I do think that um this is not a fluke result, Wimbleland, I don't think it's one of those sort of oneshot wonders. I think he's got a good enough game in the mental side. You can't teach that. And so, I'm expecting big things from him in the future. And maybe in the near future. Next up for our Ferry, a semiinal here on Friday against a recent French Open winner Alexander ZV. If he comes through that, it'll be against Novak Jovovic or Yanick in the final at Wimbledon on Sunday, which just happens to be Arthur Ferry's 24th birthday. Alice,
amazing, Chris. Thank you. Well, staying with SW19, the treat of strawberries and cream dates back to the very first Wimbledon in 1877. Over time, the winning combination has become a tradition at the tennis tournament. Sarah Hol went to see how the berries get from field to fork.
It's a busy time of year for these fruit pickers in Kent as summer serves up strawberry season. Hulo Farm in Merryworth supply 56 tons of strawberries to Wimbledon throughout the championships.
The heat has presented a few challenges, but actually I think we're pretty resilient and well set up for it. It probably has meant that the crop has come a little bit like fuller than we were expecting. Um, but only maybe like a day or two earlier. And we build in resilience for the kind of, you know, we used to say once every 10 year event, now it's looking like once every three. To ensure ultimate freshness, the strawberries are handpicked from sunrise and then delivered the 31 miles every day to SW19. It's a military operation for the Wimbledon food logistics team.
15, 16 pallets a day that would come to us uh early morning which then as they arrive, we would uh receive them and then basically distribute them around site. A very large team, 24-hour operation.
Do you like strawberries?
I love strawberries, obviously. Do you nick any when they come along?
Uh, no comment.
Once they've been unpacked, they get taken over to Strawberry Central where the hulling begins. Every single one of these strawberries is hauled by hand, which is no small task when you consider there are 2 and 12 million individual berries eaten this fortnight.
Show me how to actually hull this strawberry. So, we grab our strawberry. We're taking off with our wooden spoon as much of green as possible. Not taking off the actual strawberry.
Yeah.
Discard and put the strawberry in the bonnet. Ready to go for boxing. 10 strawberries go in every portion. These are mine and I'll leave them to it. Almost 290,000 portions of strawberries and cream were served up last year and the spectators get to enjoy them less than 5 hours after being picked.
Well, we came last year and the cues were so long later in the day that we decided we had to have them for breakfast this time.
What have they been like?
Lovely.
Absolutely delicious.
Very nice.
They're pretty good. Pretty good. And the price is quite reasonable as well. I was expecting it to be much more. They're delicious. It's part of the tradition to have the strawberries at Wimbledon and nice atmosphere.
And they've also got the seal of approval from the world number one Arena Sabalanka. Just tell us what do you think of them?
Oh my god, they're the best. I'm addicted. And we have a lot of them in the locker room like a huge bowl of strawberries and Oh my god, I cannot stop eating them. You know, that's a that's an addiction.
Okay, time for a look at the weather now with Kate.
Good evening. We are on day five of this current heat wave with these hot temperatures expected to last through the rest of this week, the weekend, and into next week as well. Now, for today, it's been another day full of sunshine, very little in the way of cloud, and a very light breeze as well. Now, brought to you, of course, courtesy of high pressure to the southwest of the UK, bringing in this very warm, if not hot air. But this high pressure just starts to move a little bit further northwards as we head through Thursday and into Friday. Now, overnight tonight, it's dry, largely clear. Any high cloud from earlier will disappear. It is going to be a very warm night once again with temperatures in central London not dropping much below 20. Now, if they stay at 20 or above, it is deemed a tropical night. So, again, not great for sleeping. A bright start tomorrow morning. Plenty of sunshine for Thursday. Maybe once again, a little bit of high cloud, but really nothing that's going to get in the way of the sunshine. Temperatures tomorrow getting up to 34 Celsius. Now, as we head overnight Thursday and into Friday, that high pressure, like I said, just starts to drift further northwards. It's start to bring in an easterly breeze as we head into Friday. It is still a warm night, though, as we head into Friday morning. Still uncomfortable. 19 in central London, but another bright start for Friday. We still have plenty of sunshine, but with the high pressure here around the outside comes that easterly breeze, which means for us in the east, we may just get temperatures a little bit less hot. They are still hot, but less hot than tomorrow, for example. The hotter temperatures pushed a little bit further west thanks to this easterly breeze. So, for Friday, still lots of sunshine. Temperatures, high 20s out towards the Essex coast, low 30s the further inland you come. Now, as we head through the weekend, we continue with that theme, that easterly flow, and it's a noticeable breeze, so a little cooler with temperatures remaining still in heatwave criteria in the high 20s, low 30s.
Okay, time for the main news headlines now. Police are searching for a man who's believed to have killed his wife and two daughters at their home near Bedford. Officers believe 45-year-old Mark Schumer is now in Zimbabwe after flying out of Heathrow airport on Saturday. An international manhunt is underway. And Britain's Arthur Ferry is through to the semi-finals of Wimbledon after beating Italy's Flavio Kaboli in straight sets. He's the first male wild card to make it to the last four in 25 years. This was the moment the 23-year-old sent center court into Rapture. And that's about it from me. Assad will be here later with our 10:30 program. But for now, from all of us, have a lovely evening. Bye-bye.