Cachella Smith

Two Metropolitan Police officers are under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the handling of convicted serial sex offender Simon Levy. Levy was on bail and under police monitoring when he raped a woman and murdered Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in 2025. The Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and Crown Prosecution Service have acknowledged significant failures, including inadequate bail decisions, poor monitoring and incompetent investigations. The IOPC is examining whether officers followed policies and whether earlier intervention could have prevented further offending.

Two Metropolitan Police officers are under investigation over the handling of Simon Levy, a convicted serial sex offender who murdered Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in 2025 while on bail and under police monitoring. The IOPC is examining whether officers followed policies and whether intervention could have prevented further offending. The Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and Crown Prosecution Service have acknowledged significant shortcomings, including failures around bail, custody and the management of Levy’s known offending pattern. Levy was convicted of two murders, rape and other serious offences and is due to be sentenced on 12 August. Victims’ advocates and former policing officials are calling for a wider review of how authorities identify and manage escalating violence against women and girls.

Wildfires in south‑west France forced the evacuation of about 12,000 people as more than 2,000 hectares were destroyed and restrictions were imposed on vehicles in forested areas. Italy reported the death of firefighter Alessandro Marchi during operations in San Cataldo, prompting tributes from senior officials. Sicily faced over 350 fires, while France honoured two firefighters killed earlier in the week. Spain continued to battle fires near Madrid, with most evacuees returning home as crews worked to control remaining hotspots amid high temperatures across Europe.