A bomb threat warning has been received relating to central London today (16 May). The threat is not specific in relation to location or time.
The City of London Police, Metropolitan Police Service and British Transport Police are working closely together and all officers have been advised to be a highly vigilant to ensure the safety of London.
Policing operations and contingency planning remain under constant review and a wide range of overt and covert tactics will continue to be used in London.
At this time Londoners should continue to go about their business as usual but we encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any information about unusual activity or behaviour which may be terrorist-related to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
In the event of an emergency always dial 999.
The threat level from Irish-related terrorism has not increased and remains at substantial meaning that an attack is a strong possibility. The threat level was raised in September 2010 from moderate to substantial.
This is lower than the overall threat to the UK from international terrorism which remains at severe.
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Central London Bomb Threat
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Advanced-fee fraud warning
City of London Police is reminding the public of the dangers of advanced-fee fraud.
The message comes after officers learnt fraudsters have used the force’s name to suggest that a lottery scam was legitimate.
An email claiming to be from ‘Constable John Bruce’ ‘guaranteed’ the competition, and asked for the recipient to confirm their contact details. Detectives believe the fraudster’s next step would be to ask for an admin fee to process the prize.
An outdated City of London Police logo and address are used in a bid to make the e-mail seem genuine.
Det Supt Crampton, from the City of London Police Economic Crime Unit, said:
“The City of London Police does not endorse lotteries or similar initiatives and would not engage in facilitating distribution of such ‘prizes’. Should such correspondence be received treat with extreme caution and forward to the National Fraud Desk for our attention”.
If you have responded to such correspondence received, have lost money or believe yourself to be a victim of an advance fee fraud then please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Find out more about advanced-fee fraud (external link)
NFIB Advice
Treat unsolicited communication (e-mail, phone & letters) that offer financial gain with extreme suspicion
Lotteries should not ask for a fee to release your winnings
Never pay an advance fee
Do not provide any banking details
Contact the organisation named using independently sourced contact details, not the details they have supplied to you
Fraudsters will impersonate large organisation such as banks, government departments or the police in an attempt to give credibility to their scam
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Cyclists ‘swap’ places and get new perspective on safety
Cyclists will be getting more with their muesli at a free breakfast and cycle safety event on Wednesday 22 June at St Paul’s Cathedral from 7.30 am.
City of London Police will be running another highly successful “Exchanging Places” event to raise awareness of safe cycling and security.
Supported by colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, City of London Corporation and London Fire Brigade, the event will give cyclists the opportunity to see the road from a lorry driver’s perspective as well as drop in on informative presentations. Riders will also have the chance to get their cycle checked and security marked for free, and network with other cycling enthusiasts.
Organiser, PC Alex Sweet from the City of London Police said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about cycle safety as well as claim a complimentary breakfast at this relaxed and informal event. Our priority is to reduce the number of cyclists killed and injured on the roads.”
Supporting the event, CEMEX UK, building materials supplier, is providing the large heavy goods vehicles for the exercise. The company is leading the industry by fitting additional safety features to its lorries to help prevent incidents with cyclists.
Whole Foods and Starbucks are also supporting the event ensuring there will be a variety of breakfast choices on offer during the morning.
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Crime down in the City
Government crime figures released today show that crime is down three per cent in the City of London.
The statistics, which compared crimes in 2010/11 with the year before, showed there had been 11 per cent less violent crime, and 10 per cent fewer burglaries.
There were around 130 fewer crimes in total in the City, while crime also fell nationally.
Despite the positive figures, it is still important the public stays on its guard against crime. The City of London Police has seen a growing number of thefts in the last few months from customers of the City’s cafes, bars and restaurants.
Safeguard your belongings from thieves:
Keep your belongings where you can feel or see them at all times
Your bag or laptop case should be kept on your lap or where available, hung from a Chelsea Clip
Don’t leave your bag slung over the back of a chair or on the floor where it could be stolen
Most importantly, don’t leave your belongings unattended while you go to the bathroom or the bar.
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Assistant Commissioner thanks businesses for releasing Special Constables
Assistant Commissioner Frank Armstrong has thanked City businesses for their support by releasing Special Constables for duty, as the police continue to respond to the unrest that has affected the country this week.
Assistant Commissioner Armstrong said: “When we asked you, our business community, to support us by releasing our Special Constables for duty, we knew you’d back us.
“As a result we’ve had a significant number of Specials report for duty each evening, working alongside regular police officers to keep the City safe.
“The officers’ professionalism and commitment is absolutely vital to the force, particularly during these difficult times, and so I would encourage you to continue to support their deployment.
“While the City remains untouched, and disorder across the capital has reduced over the past 24 hours, there are undoubtedly challenges ahead. It is therefore absolutely vital that we continue to maintain this high level of dedication and performance.”
The Assistant Commissioner’s comments were echoed by Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin, who praised Londoners and his staff:“I've said many times that I am so proud of the men and women of the Met, never more so than now. But I am also proud of the way in which our city has responded, supported each other and gets on with business.”
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Latest update on London disorder
More than 1,000 people have now been charged in connection with the violence and disorder earlier this month.
In total, more than 1,700 people have been arrested following a wide-reaching investigation led by the Metropolitan Police.
Throughout the unrest, the City of London Police supported the operation to keep London safe, as well as dedicating significant resources to protecting the Square Mile and its community.
The force also worked hard to keep the community updated, especially businesses in the Square Mile.
Assistant Commissioner Frank Armstrong has thanked the City’s business community for its support, particularly in releasing Special Constables for duty. You can read the Assistant Commissioner’s comments here.
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“Keep it out of sight”, smartphone theft victim warns
“Keep it out of sight”. That is the advice from a businessman who had his iPhone 4 stolen from in front of him in a coffee shop on High Holborn earlier this year.
Now, after City officers recovered his phone and the men who stole it have been convicted, Simon Evans is speaking out to help others keep their belongings safe.
He said: “I was sitting at the bench by the window reading the paper. I’d just finished a phone call and put the phone down next to me.
“The next thing I knew this guy appeared across my right shoulder, he held a newspaper, pointing at something. I looked at the newspaper and the strange thing about it was it was upside down. He was saying something indecipherable in my ear.
“Then, another man appeared over my left shoulder, asking for directions, but I couldn’t understand him either.
“I said ‘go away’. The next thing I knew, the first guy had gone out the door.
“I looked down where my phone was and it was gone.
“I now know he put the newspaper over my phone to steal it.
“If it hadn’t been seen on the counter I think these guys would have walked straight past. Instead they saw it and decided they’ll have a go at this one.”
Simon followed the thieves out of the coffee shop and confronted them on the street but to no avail.
On returning to the coffee shop, its manager had reported the theft to City of London Police, and officers arrived shortly after. Simon provided them with a description of the thieves, which, in turn, they broadcast to other officers in the area.
Moments later the policeman taking Simon’s statement heard on his radio that officers had stopped suspects at Temple underground station.
Simon said: “I was told one of the men who’d been stopped had an iPhone in his pocket, so the officer taking my statement asked me for my number so he could phone it and obviously, it rang.
“It was great. Within an hour I had my phone back, I couldn’t believe it!”
The officers who identified the suspects were part of a policing team dedicated to reducing thefts of handbags, laptops, mobile phones and wallets in the City following a rise in thefts since April.
Two men arrested on suspicion of theft were later charged. On appearing at City of London Magistrates’ Court, Maradonna Constantin, 21, and Stefan Mitae,18, both from Ilford, were convicted of the theft and both received a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Constantin was also ordered to undertake 60 hours unpaid work while Mitae must carry out 100 hours.
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‘Safeguarding data is not important, it is imperative’
Commissioner Adrian Leppard has warned businesses that fraudsters are increasingly targeting their customer data.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the Commissioner highlighted that while technology was changing the face of fraud, personal information remained the key ingredient for fraudsters committing economic crime:
“Technology might be fanning the flames of fraud, but data is the fuel that the crime needs to survive. Businesses are a great source of data, with many holding thousands, even millions, of customer details. In today’s fight against fraud, businesses are becoming a major battleground.
“Put simply, if a business’s relationship with customers involves it holding detailed client information, then its reputation for safeguarding data is not important, it is imperative”
The Commissioner explained that it was crucial that businesses change their attitude towards data protection, highlighting the need for them to conduct regular threat assessments.
To read the article in full, visit the Telegraph website
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Annual Report for 2010/11
The Annual Report for 2010/11 is now available online. Over the last twelve months the force has continued to see crime fall in the City and to bring some of the UK’s biggest fraudsters to justice.
We have continued our commitment to provide the level of service that the City community wants and expects. There is no doubt that the coming year will bring challenges - police funding will be reduced over the next four years by up to 20% - but this report outlines what a strong position the force is in as it enters this challenging process.
Visit the Annual Report section to download your copy
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Conference delegates: safeguard your belongings
The City of London Police is reminding conference delegates in the Square Mile to safeguard their belongings from fraudsters.
The advice comes as detectives ask for the public’s help to find a suspected bank card fraudster who targeted a City hotel’s conference room.
The man is believed to have entered a hotel conference room in November last year and taken a bank card and driving licence from a delegate’s jacket, before using the items to withdraw cash from the victim’s bank account.
Detectives are releasing an image of the man they’d like to speak to in connection with the fraud. He is described as white, in his thirties or forties and of large build. At the time of the offence he was clean shaven and smartly dressed in a flat tweed cap and a mid-length, light-coloured rain mack.
Investigating officer, DC Sian Astley, said: “The suspect’s smart appearance meant he gave the delegates little cause for concern when he entered the hotel’s conference room but this was just a rouse to commit theft.
“By the time the victim realised his bank card and driving licence had been taken, thousands of pounds had been stolen from his bank account.
“I believe this man has links to Warwickshire. I need the public’s help to track this man down and in the meantime, it is important that conference delegates keep their valuable out of reach of fraudsters.”
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of this man should call DC Sian Astley on 020 7601 2690 or the City of London Police Control Room on 020 7601 2222. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
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Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit on ITV1 tomorrow at 9pm
The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) will be the focus of attention on ITV1’s ‘Fraud Squad’ tomorrow at 9pm.
The hour-long programme, which also features the force’s Cheque and Credit Card Unit (CCCU), shows how detectives are tackling organised crime gangs making millions from cash machine crime.
The gangs use an array of equipment to steal customers’ bank account details. Secret cameras record pin numbers and skimmers copy account details from the magnetic strip on the bank card. Some gangs even design new fascias to put on the cash machines.
Head of the DCPCU, DCI Paul Barnard, said: “Criminals are constantly evolving their technology to beat the crime prevention technology being put in place by the banks.”
Viewers will also learn how Romanian nationals have a monopoly on the trade, equipment and rewards.
“The fact is 92 per cent of all ATM fraud we see in this country is committed by Romanian nationals. Very, very tight communities, very tight gangs”, continued DCI Barnard.
“The crime is highly lucrative earning the gangs well over £2 million a month and the competition is fierce.”
Tomorrow’s documentary follows last year’s two-part ‘Fraud Squad’ series on the force’s investigation into an international boiler room fraud.
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Crime down in the City for tenth year
Residents, workers and visitors to the City are safer than at any point in the last ten years, according to figures announced today.
The City of London Police’s crime summary figures show crime fell by four per cent in 2011/12.
Violent crime is down, the fifth consecutive year the City has seen a fall in the total of sexual offences, robbery and violence against the person.
The number of theft offences has also fallen, while motor vehicle crime is down 28 per cent.
But theft of pedals cycles is up –a timely reminder as the weather improves of the importance of securing bikes properly. You can find crime prevention advice around cycling here.
Commissioner Adrian Leppard said: “These figures are pleasing, but what is more important is the story behind them: officers working hard to make sure fewer members of our community become victims of crime.
“It is even more of an achievement when considered against the backdrop of challenging police budget cuts and the City becoming the focus of a protest that earned headlines around the world.
“That the Square Mile remains a very safe place is thanks not only to police but also to the work of our community, particularly the Crime Prevention Association and Safer City Partnership. The crime figures we see today are our reward for those efforts.”
Simon Duckworth, chair of the Police Committee, added: “My time as Chairman of the Police Committee has seen significant changes in the wider policing landscape, but within the City we have been particularly fortunate to see real consistency in the falling crime rate.
“That is the result of both initiative and hard work, and I would like to extend our thanks to the Commissioner and his team for achieving this, and echo his remarks that there is no greater incentive or reward for their hard work than to achieve a safer City for all those that live, work or visit the heart of our capital City."
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City of London Police undergoes comprehensive review of its service
The City of London Police, like other police forces in the country, is facing the financial challenge of a 20 per cent budget reduction by 2014-15. This is the result of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010.
To meet this challenge, the force is carrying out an in-depth review of its operations and structure. Every aspect of service delivery is being reviewed and assessed with the aim of reducing costs and inefficiencies whilst still continuing to provide quality policing, protection and engagement that our community expect.
In addition to reducing the annual cost of the business, consideration is being given to ways the force can increase its income, and achieve greater efficiency or reduce costs by working in partnership with other organisations to deliver services.
The force will ensure that the service it provides is not adversely affected and will continue to provide a world-class police service for the unique communities it serves.
Every effort will be made to support those with the greatest need within the Square Mile with resources being made available to deliver the most appropriate response across the entire force. You should not notice a difference in the visible police presence in the City and there will still be community neighbourhood cover for the whole City. Through the more carefully targeted deployment of our resources, the force will make sure that police officers are on the streets and visible in our communities when they are most needed.
The City of London Police remains committed to meeting the targets set out in our Policing Plan for responding to incidents. Our ability to respond effectively to crime and major incidents is, and will continue to be, the force’s core priority.
Commissioner Adrian Leppard said: “I see this as a real opportunity to transform the City of London Police. A chance to shape the force into an organisation that will not only be able to survive on a budget of 20 per cent less, but also to thrive, grow, and continue to provide the City with a quality policing service.”
As part of that service, we can assure of the following:
You will continue to see police officers and PCSOs patrolling the City.
You will continue to have dedicated and named Community Policing officers and PCSOs.
We will continue to attend Community Partnership Meetings.
We will continue to address your Community Priorities.
We will continue to be available for you at our police stations and offices.
We respond to calls for help more quickly than any other police force. This will continue.
Find out more about the review of our services.
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Capital crack down on crime and disorder
A police operation targeting anti-social behaviour, theft and other offences across London resulted in 117 arrests.
The arrests last Thursday, 17 and Friday, 18 May dubbed Operation Emperor, saw over 200 British Transport Police, Metropolitan Police and City of London Police officers conduct uniform and plain-clothes patrols around stations and at locations across London.
In the City of London there were 14 arrests over the two days for offences including theft, attempted theft, shoplifting and drugs offences.
City of London Police officers also seized five vehicles of drivers who were not driving in accordance with the law, and issued 42 fixed plenty notices for offences including riding a motorcycle without a helmet, driving without wearing a seat belt and cycling through a red light.
T/Ch Insp Hector McKoy headed the police activity in the City of London, he said: “Crime is at a 10 year low in the City of London but we refuse to be complacent.
“Theft and driving offences disrupt the life of the City, which in turn disrupts the lives of law abiding residents, workers and tourists in the Square Mile.
“Operations such as this send out a clear message that we will not tolerate any form of crime in the City.”
Click here for more information on the outcomes of Operation Emperor across London.
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Man charged with Charterhouse Street murder
City of London Police has this evening charged a 25-year-old Ealing man with murder following an incident near a Farringdon night club on Sunday morning (June 24) in which a 33-year-old man suffered a fatal stab injury.
Robert Lee Casey has been remanded in police custody and will appear at court tomorrow morning.
Police are continuing to appeal for information following the incident at 8.15am close to Raduno nightclub on Charterhouse Street EC1.
Anyone with information should contact the City of London Police on 0207 601 2222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Olympics - July transport update
London has now become an Olympic City.
Please avoid driving into central London, on and around the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and near Games venues.
Roads within the North Circular and the South Circular will also be affected this week and especially the key routes leading into London.
Congestion is already being seen on the A13, A2, A3, A12 and A40. Drivers using these roads should be prepared for significant delays and are advised to plan ahead, particularly to see whether journeys can be re-timed to avoid the morning and evening peak periods.
Olympic Route Network (ORN)
The ORN will come into operation and be enforced from 0600 Wednesday 25 July. This also includes 30 miles of ‘Games Lanes’ for the use of athletes, officials and the world’s media to get them to their events on time. Games Lanes will be operated flexibly and opened to regular traffic if there are times when they are less busy. A network of 150 Variable Message Signs along the route will advise motorists when Games Lanes are open to regular traffic.
Hotspots for the first few days
Thursday 26 July – Torch Relay passes through central London. Roads will be temporarily closed before it arrives and will be exceptionally busy.
Friday 27 July – Last day of the Torch Relay and the Opening Ceremony. Please avoid the Stratford area after 1500 unless you have a ticket.
Saturday 28 July/Sunday 29 July – Men’s and Women’s Olympic Cycling Road Race. Avoid driving in central and south west London.
Monday 30 July – Greenwich Equestrian Cross–country event; avoid the area as it will be exceptionally busy and avoid using London Bridge station.
Friday 3 August/Saturday 4 August – Athletics events start at the Olympic Stadium. The Stratford area will be exceptionally busy; you are advised to avoid travelling to Stratford on these dates.
Road events
As well as the large road events on 28 and 29 July mentioned above, there are also a number of other road events on the following dates: 31 July; 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 11 and 12 August and 9 September. Bus diversions and road closures will be in place.
Games time travel information
The Congestion Charging zone will be fully operational during the Games period and you will need to pay the charge in the normal way.
Full details are available online:
Twitter traffic updates, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/socialmediaCycling routes and maps, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/cyclingjourneyplannerGames travel hotspots by day, visit www.getaheadofthegames.com
We are working to both deliver a great Games and to keep London moving. Thank you in advance for your help with this.
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Olympic Torch Relay
Today, Thursday 26 July, the Olympic Torch Relay arrived in the City of London.
The torch visited St Paul’s Cathedral, the Museum of London and Guildhall, before leaving the City via Millennium Bridge.
The Torch was met by the Lord Mayor of London at St Pauls Cathedral and at the Guildhall. Among the crowds were residents, City workers and visitors who wanted to see the Olympic Torch being carried through the City.
More information can be found on twitter @citypolice
View our Olympic crime prevention pages
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IFED make further Midlands arrests
A Walsall woman has been arrested by the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department on suspicion of making up to 50 bogus insurance claims over the last four years.
The 30 year old is believed to have forged documentation and even impersonated a police officer in support of her claims on household contents and pet insurance policies.
The arrest comes as a result of the latest of a series of visits to the town by IFED detectives since the specialist crime unit, based at the City of London Police, was launched at the beginning of 2012.
In January a 36 year old woman was cautioned after submitting false crime reports for nine burglaries and a robbery that never actually happened.
The fraudster claimed that computers, cash and jewellery were stolen from her home worth up to £30,000, but the insurance company became suspicious after inspecting the crime reports and referred the matter to the IFED.
Detectives quickly confirmed the crime reports to be false and that the woman had not even contacted the police.
In February a 31 year old man was arrested on suspicion of opening numerous home insurance policies with various companies in false names and addresses to make claims for expensive electrical items.
And in April IFED executed search warrants at various locations in the Walsall area, arresting two men in their twenties and seizing a substantial amount of property.
The investigation related to an accident claims company, who are involved in numerous motor insurance claims suspected to be contrived accidents.
In total there were 17 such accidents reported with associated injury claims, vehicle recovery, vehicle hire and vehicle storage costs worth in excess of £300K.
Head of IFED, DCI Dave Wood, said:
“IFED has been making arrests across England and Wales, with Walsall revealing itself to be one of a number of national hot-spots, both for cases of suspected opportunistic and organised insurance fraud.
“The operational activity in the town is evidence of how the climate is now changing, with a very clear message being sent out that insurance fraud in all its forms with be investigated, whoever, however and wherever it is committed.”
IFED was set-up with funding from the insurance industry to combat an area of criminality valued at £3 billion per year, working out at £50 per policy holder.
Between January and June the unit received 318 referrals from 43 different insurers, with the majority of these cases relating to personal motor and personal property fraud. In this time detectives have investigated more than £8 million of suspected insurance fraud and made 120 arrests.
For more information on IFED go to: /CityPolice/Departments/ECD/IFED/
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Lap-dancing breaches results in £28k fine
In one of the first prosecutions under the revised sex establishment legislation, City of London police and The Corporation of London have successfully fined three people for operating a lap-dancing venue without an appropriate Sex Entertainment Venue Licence.
The City of London Police Licensing Team provided the necessary evidence needed in order for the prosecution to make its decision and give out a fine totalling £28,000 to the owner, manager and Premises Licence Holder of “Charlie’s Bar” in the City of London.
The case provides an example of how robust enforcement measures using both Premises Licence Reviews and criminal prosecutions in parallel can effectively deal with problem venues.
“Charlie’s” has operated as a wine bar and nightclub for many years. The Premises Licence had been reviewed on two previous occasions in 2008 and 2010 following incidents of crime and disorder and public nuisance.
Since 2008 the venue had lawfully hosted lap‐dancing evenings on a weekly basis. However in 2010, following a consultation process, the City of London Corporation resolved to adopt the new legislation in relation to sex entertainment venues.
The new provisions had full effect from 1 September 2011 and as a result any venue that wished to provide lap‐dancing would require an SEV licence. Importantly, this was subject to the “frequency exemption” which Charlie’s later flouted.
On 26 July 2012 the three defendants pleaded guilty before the City of London Magistrates Court. When imposing fines totalling £28,000 the court observed that the offences were “wilful, knowing and for commercialgain”.
Source: The Institute of Licensing
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Further two people charged following Gresham Street stabbing
A further two people have been charged with committing grievous bodily harm with intent following a stabbing on Gresham Street on Sunday 15 July 2012 – bringing the total number of people charged to five.
Colin Mbagwu, aged 27, of Beechwood Road, N8, and Marlon Brown, aged 26, of Rivulet Road, N17, appeared at magistrates’ court earlier this month (August 2012) and were remanded into custody.
Two other men and a woman remain on remand having appeared at court in July also charged with committing grievous bodily harm with intent, they are:
Jasmine Nassif, aged 21, of Alma Road, EN3
Riquel Peterson, aged 24, of Sutterton Street, N7
Ismail Francis, aged 22, of Hadrians Ride, EN3
The five are due to appear at court on Thursday 13 September 2012.
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