Aurelia Foster

Virgin Atlantic engineer Georgie Buxton, 23, died in hospital on 7 July, nearly a month after being seriously injured while carrying out maintenance work on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Heathrow Airport. The incident occurred on 11 June and is being investigated jointly by the Metropolitan Police and the Health and Safety Executive. Virgin Atlantic and Heathrow expressed condolences and said they were supporting Buxton’s family, while an inquest is expected to open.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner visited Sutton Central Mosque to reassure worshippers after a 14-year-old boy was charged with plotting terrorist attacks against two mosques in the area. Increased police patrols are in place as community members report rising incidents of harassment and fear. Local mosque leaders described heightened anxiety among worshippers, particularly the elderly and families. Police data shows a significant rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes in London and Sutton over the past year. The commissioner warned of broad threats from extremist groups, online hatred and hostile states, while emphasising continued efforts to protect vulnerable communities.

Research commissioned by the London mayor suggests social media algorithms promoting violent and misogynistic content may intensify youth conflicts, prompting a £5m investment in a new city-wide strategy to address online harms. The Violence Reduction Unit will expand programmes aimed at de-escalating disputes, identifying at-risk young people, and training youth workers, alongside mentoring and role‑model initiatives. Researchers found no statistical link between online content and real‑world violence using social media data but reported strong concerns from focus groups. Conservative critics accused the mayor of deflecting blame for rising crime and underfunding of police while questioning the usefulness of the initiatives.

A London homeowner who installed a 12ft section of the Berlin Wall in his Herne Hill garden has been warned by Southwark Council that the structure breaches planning rules and may need to be removed. The council cited the wall’s scale and appearance as harmful to a neighbouring property and said enforcement action could follow unless planning permission is obtained. Steven Thorpe, who brought the wall from Germany to preserve a piece of Cold War history, disputes that the installation constitutes building works and is working with the council and the Dulwich Estate in hopes of keeping it in place.

Campaigners from Save Wimbledon Park protested against the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s plans to expand the Wimbledon complex as the tournament began. The project includes 38 new courts, an 8,000‑seat stadium and other facilities on the former golf course, which would significantly enlarge the site. Opponents argue the development is environmentally damaging, too large in scale and disruptive to local residents, while the club says the expansion is essential for maintaining Wimbledon’s status and will bring community benefits. The group pledges to continue opposing the plans.