Body found in New Forest by police investigating disappearance of woman
Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, was reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on May 31 having left her home in Ilford on the morning of May 29.
Her family has been told about the discovery of the body, which was found during searches in Hampshire's Bolderwood area on Saturday, but formal identification has yet to be made.
Detective Inspector Jay Gregory, who is leading the investigation, said: 'This is a very sad development in the investigation and our thoughts are very much with Yajaira's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
'We continue to appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to please come forward.'
A post-mortem examination has yet to take place.
The police said a man who was known to Ms Castro Mendez appeared in court on Friday charged with her murder and was remanded into custody.
Her disappearance was initially treated as a missing person investigation led by local officers.
The investigation was then transferred to the Met's Specialist Crime Command on June 5, after a range of extensive further inquiries suggested she had come to harm.
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The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
Record number of police officers were sacked in Britain last year
A record number of police officers were sacked from forces in England and Wales in the past year, new figures show. Latest Home Office data reveals 426 officers were dismissed or had their contracts terminated in the 12 months to March. This is up 17 per cent year on year from the previous record of 365 and more than double the number fired at the start of the decade, when 164 officers were dismissed in 2019/20. In May, ministers tightened rules on standards in efforts to improve confidence in policing, including for officers who fail background checks and commit gross misconduct to be sacked. The five largest forces in England and Wales together account for just more than half of all dismissals in 2024/25: the Metropolitan Police (151 dismissals, or 35 per cent of the total), Greater Manchester (22, or 5 per cent), West Midlands (15, or 4 per cent), West Yorkshire (17, or 4 per cent) and Thames Valley (14, or 3 per cent). Three other forces had more than 10 dismissals in 2024/25: Devon & Cornwall (15, or 4 per cent of the total), Avon & Somerset (12, or 3 per cent) and Merseyside (11, or 3 per cent). The latest 12-month period also saw 4,806 officers voluntarily leaving policing: the second-highest number since records began in 2006 and down slightly from the peak of 5,151 in 2023/24. The figures come as forces have warned the government that funding levels fall short to keep the existing workforce. A total of 146,442 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers were in post at the end of March 2025, down almost 1 per cent from 147,745 at the same point last year, which was the highest in modern times. Of the 43 police forces, the Metropolitan Police saw the largest drop of 1,022 FTE officers, down 3 per cent from 34,315 to 33,293. Last month, plans for an average 2.3 per cent rise in police spending per year faced backlash from police leaders, who warned a projected £1.2 billion shortfall will continue to grow and leave forces facing further cuts. Acting national chairwoman of the Police Federation, Tiff Lynch, had said: 'We will lose 10,000 experienced officers a year to resignation by the end of this spending review period, driven out by poor pay and unacceptable working conditions.' Chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council Gavin Stephens added that the amount 'falls far short' of what is needed to fund Government plans and to maintain the existing workforce. Ministers have committed to recruiting 13,000 more neighbourhood policing officers by 2029, with 3,000 extra recruits to be in post by spring next year. Meanwhile, the figures show there was a 17 per cent decrease in the number of new recruits joining police forces, 7,874 excluding transfers, compared to 9,492 the year before. This follows a 42 per cent decrease in the year 2022/23, when 16,355 joined policing. Reacting to the figures, the Conservatives said the falling police numbers were a 'devastating blow' to neighbourhoods dealing with rising crime and anti-social behaviour. The figures cover the last three months of the former Conservative government, and the first nine months of Labour in power. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'Labour has let down policing and has let down the public. 'We need police to catch criminals, respond to 999 calls, investigate crime and patrol our streets. 'Labour has massively increased our taxes, squandered the money, and now they're reducing police numbers. The public are less safe as a result of Labour's incompetence.' A Home Office spokesperson said the Government is determined to re-build neighbourhood policing, and there will be an extra 3,000 officers and PCSOs in communities by March 2026 following a £200 million investment. The spokesperson added: 'Officer numbers have been stable since last July despite falling between March and June 2024, however, the promising increase in neighbourhood policing shows that we are finally seeing more officers on our streets'.
Sky News
7 hours ago
- Sky News
Five 'dangerous' gang members guilty of murdering boy and man at music video shoot
Five "violent" and "dangerous" gang members have been found guilty of murdering a boy and a young man at a music video shoot in a north London estate. The men had gone to the Elthorne Estate in Archway "with the intention of killing anyone they could", the Metropolitan Police said. And the group mistook those they attacked for rival gang members. Lorik Lupqi, 21; Jason Furtado, 28; Abel Chunda, 29; Xavier Poponne, 22; and Eden Clark, 31, were convicted of murdering 15-year-old Leonardo Reid and 23-year-old Klevi Shekaj and attempting to murder 28-year-old Abdullah Abdullahi. Leonardo and Mr Shekaj were fatally stabbed and Mr Abdullahi was badly hurt when knifemen descended on the event on the night of 29 June 2023. Leonardo and his brother had been watching a music video being filmed with friends. Police said Lupqi, a gang member from Islington, saw the gathering at around 8.30pm and took it as an opportunity to hurt those he thought were gang opponents. He messaged his girlfriend stating that "opps were outside". She advised him to remain inside, but Lupqi decided to contact his close friend and gang associate Jason Furtado. They formed a plan and recruited gang members Chunda, Clark and Poponne to travel to the estate. Lupqi had booked a taxi to pick up the three men from the area of Furtado's home address in Canonbury, north London, telling the cab firm: "I'm in a little bit of a rush," the jury heard. They had worn masks and were armed as they went to the Elthorne Estate where they met Lupqi, the court was told. By the time they arrived, the filming had ended, and most people had left, but some local children and teenagers remained in the area. The group then carried out their deadly attack. The alarm was raised as a black-clad figure wearing a balaclava was spotted crouching down and moving towards Leonardo, his brother and others, with a large knife. Three more males in black stood up from where they had been hiding behind cars as they edged towards the group, the court was told. Leonardo was stabbed in the chest, with the wound cutting through his left lung and one of the major blood vessels in his body, causing fatal blood loss. Leonardo's brother had run away from the scene but later looped back and saw his sibling lying motionless on the ground, the court heard. Mr Shekaj was stabbed in the back, with the wound cutting through his left lung and deep into his body. He was driven to Whittington Hospital by members of the public but he died on arrival. Detective Inspector Jim Barry said: "These violent men went into this estate with the intention of killing anyone they could, under the false impression that those there were rival gang members. "This was a senseless, violent act which has shattered the lives of so many, especially Leonardo and Klevi's loved ones. "This dangerous group of men will now spend a long time behind bars but the effect of what they did will be felt by the victim's shattered families for longer." The five killers will appear at the same court on 25 and 26 September for sentencing.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Four-star hotel in Canary Wharf prepares for arrival of 'hundreds' of asylum seekers with extra beds and mattresses brought in after protesters gathered outside
Workers have been pictured hauling beds and mattresses into a four-star hotel in Canary Wharf after a night of protests in response to Government plans to house migrants there. The Metropolitan Police has erected a ring of steel outside the Britannia International Hotel, in London's financial district, following a furious response to it being transformed into a migrant hotel. Labourers dragging new furniture into the hotel were allowed through the metal fencing and police cordon in preparation for the arrival of 'hundreds' of asylum seekers. Protesters last night gathered outside the hotel amid reports asylum seekers were being transferred from Epping to the capital, although the Home Office later clarified this was not the case. Tower Hamlets Council did, however, confirm the Government intends to use the hotel - which has around 500 rooms - for asylum seekers in a move which has angered anti-migrant protesters and guests whose bookings have been cancelled. Last night's action marks the latest anti-migrant protest, with Sir Keir Starmer warned Britain could face a second 'summer of riots' if Labour fails to get a grip on migrant hotels. It follows a string of violent demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel, in Epping after an asylum seeker was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl eight days after arriving in the UK. Essex Police is facing major questions after footage emerged of officers escorting pro-migrant activists to the hotel - despite the force initially denying this has happened. But Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington today defended the force's handling of the protests, rejected claims of preferential treatment for pro-migrant protesters and dismissed calls to resign. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had called for Chief Constable Harrington to quit, saying the footage was 'absolutely disgraceful' and 'heads must roll'. He later posted footage allegedly showing pro-migrant protesters being 'bussed' to the demonstration in police vans but Essex Police said this was 'categorically' untrue. Protests have since spread to other parts of the country, with more than 150 gathering outside The Park Hotel, in Diss, Norfolk on Monday after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men. Amid warnings 'discontent is real' in Britain, Met Police officers were called to the Britannia International Hotel, on Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, last night. Footage on social media shows eggs were thrown, while a police helicopter was circling above as officers on the ground blocked the entrance to the hotel which has more than 500 rooms and is located on the waterfront of the South Dock. The Canary Wharf protest did not reach the violence seen in Epping, with YouTuber-types making up a large proportion of the crowd in preparation for any tension. However, there were still dozens of protesters - some wearing masks and others draped in St George's flags. One placard said: 'This is a peaceful protest to protect our own.' Counter-protesters also gathered outside the scene - and in one clip appeared to be escorted away from the hotel by police as protesters followed behind. Furious hotel guests have left damning reviews online, claiming they were told their stays were 'cancelled'. One wrote: 'My confirmed reservation was cancelled less than 24 hours before my stay via a brief phone call, citing a 'private hire' event.' Another said: 'Completely unprofessional company. Hotel cancelled my booking at last minute because they had a bulk booking.' And a third fumed: 'Booked in for three nights on 18th July. Told we couldn't stay on Sunday night no explanation but waiter said they were closing. Left to go to other hotel 1 hr away on Sunday. Waste of a day.' While guests claimed they were not given a reason for the cancellations, a spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council confirmed: 'We are aware of the Government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. 'It is important that the Government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel. 'We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.' There was a significant police presence with dozens of officers guarding the hotel last night after rumours spread on social media that the Epping migrants had been moved to the venue, though the Home Office said that was not the case. Reform UK chief whip Lee Anderson said he was 'absolutely furious'. He wrote on X: 'Canary Wharf. The International Hotel is now in lockdown as they prepare for an influx of illegal migrants. 500 rooms here. What are we playing at?' Trouble first broke out in Epping last Thursday after Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the town by attempting to kiss her. He denies the charges. The protest started peacefully, but descended into frenzied violence when anti-migrant demonstrators clashed with counter protesters and police. Last night, police admitted escorting pro-migrant protesters to the Bell Hotel following days of volatile protests. Essex Police initially denied it had brought the Stand Up to Racism activists following claims from anti-migrant protesters that it was the counter-protesters who sparked the July 17 violence. However, the force has now backtracked after footage showed them escorting the pro-migrant activists from a nearby station to the hotel. Mr Farage, who this week claimed Britain was getting close to 'civil disobedience on a vast scale', wrote on X: 'Essex Police escorted ANTIFA protesters to the Bell Hotel in Epping to force a confrontation. Initially they denied that it had ever happened in the first place. Heads must roll.' The Reform leader later posted footage of what he claimed to be pro-migrant protesters being transported to the Bell Hotel in police vans. 'There is no way Chief Constable BJ Harrington can stay in position,' he wrote. At a press conference today, Chief Constable Harrington rejected claims his officers had given a higher level of protection to pro-migrant protesters. 'No, I don't accept that,' he said. 'The only protection that officers are doing is to those lawful and law-abiding people, whether they are in that accommodation, whether they are the people of Epping or whether they are people who are standing there with placards and banners wishing to make a very important and legitimate view, whichever your views about it. 'Where officers have intervened that is because there has been are not being partial in any way, shape or form.' When asked if he would resign, he said: 'No, I am not going to do that. This is not about me, this is about the communities of Essex... the issue is not about my resignation.' He said Essex Police have made 10 arrests, adding: 'What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence, who have attacked people who work at the hotel, who have attacked officers, who have damaged property and who have caused fear and disruption to the people of Epping. 'That is not tolerable, it will not be tolerated, and to that end, we have made 10 arrests.' In a warning to Mr Farage and other politicians about their online posts, he added: 'It is not the police's job to clamp down on elected politicians... All I am asking is that people are responsible about what they say and they consider the real world consequences.' On Tuesday, MPs and council leaders raised fears that Britain could be heading for another 'summer of riots' - in a repeat of the street violence that followed the Southport murders 12 months ago. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner warned that anger at high levels of illegal immigration is risking social cohesion in Britain's poorest communities and must be addressed. Her comments came after Sir Keir Starmer was warned by Epping Forest Council Leader Christ Whitbread that the UK is a 'powder keg' that could explode. Newly appointed shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly also weighed in this morning, criticising the Prime Minister for a 'disconnect from reality' when it comes to housing asylum seekers. The Tory MP and former home secretary said asylum hotels are being reopened and that more asylum seekers are likely to be sent to an accommodation centre in his own constituency of Braintree. 'The Government has lost control,' he told LBC. 'And to add insult to injury, we saw the Prime Minister at the Liaison Committee just this week blithely saying, oh, there are plenty of houses for asylum seekers, when there are people all over the country struggling to get on the housing ladder, and that complete disconnect from reality, I think, is driving a lot of frustrations. 'There is never an excuse for rioting, and I'll make that absolutely clear, but the Government really is making a difficult situation significantly worse.' He said that people who live close to facilities housing asylum seekers are 'typically well behaved' but that there are 'agitators, both of the left and the right, imposing themselves on local communities to try and play out a political agenda, and local people are caught in the crossfire'. The Government should be seen to be 'on the side of the people who play by the rules, rather than on the side of the people who abuse the system, jump the queue and try and exploit our hospitality,' he said. Protesters are already plotting to take action outside more migrant hotels in the coming days. Conservative Councillor Daniel Elmer, who leads South Norfolk Council, yesterday told MailOnline 'the risk of public discontent is real' as he responded to the protests outside The Park Hotel in Diss. He added: 'I think that is unarguable. The fact that we already have protests proves that there is a risk of the public getting very, very upset with this to the point they're prepared to go out on the streets to stop it.' Speaking about the protests at the hotel, he added: 'I think the anger here is completely understandable. I think they probably feel a bit taken advantage of because this was meant to be a family hotel. 'It was largely accepted two years ago on that basis. And now it feels like the Home Office is changing the goalposts again.' Since 2023, the 19-room hotel - in the centre of Diss - has been used to house asylum seeker families, including several women and children, but there are fears the change to single adult men could bring tension to the market town. Migrant hotels usually house two asylum seekers per room, meaning there could be at least 38 men bussed into Diss. But the council say the Home Office has not confirmed the numbers yet and they are 'incredibly disappointed' at the short notice. Mr Elmer said that it is crucial how 'safe people feel' in the 'very small tight-knit community' of Diss, adding: 'It is indisputably true that lots of young adult men make people feel less safe than women and children. 'I understand why people are angry, and I would never want belittle that anger. I think it is obviously concerning if there is a risk of anything becoming violent.' As well as the protests in Diss and Epping, demonstrations have already been planned in other parts of Norfolk and Worcestershire on Saturday, stoking fears more riots are on the way. Mr Elmer said it was 'absolutely true' that there is a risk of more violence on the streets this summer. Amid growing fears of further violence, Angela Rayner today told the Cabinet this morning they had to 'acknowledge the real concerns people have' about immigration and economic insecurity, hours after the anti-migrant clashes in Norfolk. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said today that Ms Rayner warned the Cabinet '17 of the 18 places that saw the worst of the disorder last summer ranked at the top of the most deprived, and while Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the Government had to show it had a plan to address people's concerns (and) provide opportunities for everyone to flourish'. The Deputy Prime Minister told the Cabinet they had to 'acknowledge the real concerns people have' about immigration and economic insecurity as fears of a 'summer of riots' grew 'I think she sees a link between concerns that people have about where the Government is acting on their behalf and acting in their interests, and a range of factors,' he said. 'High levels of immigration over the last 10 years, including illegal immigration, but also, importantly, the cost of living, economic security, the rapid pace of technological change and deindustrialisation and changes in the economy, these are all factors that have had an impact on our social fabric and social cohesion.' A spokesman for the Met Police said: 'Officers were in attendance at a protest outside a hotel in Canary Wharf on Tuesday, 22 July. 'No arrests were made. Officers remain in the area to deal with any incidents.'
