Man Charged With Murder Of Beheaded Woman

A 25-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 82-year-old Palmira Silva who was beheaded in north London.

Nicholas Salvador, of Gilda Avenue, Enfield, north London, is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court later today, Scotland Yard said.

He faces a further charge of assault on a police officer.

Salvador had been taken to hospital and remained under police guard before being questioned by officers and charged.

Ms Silva was found collapsed in a back garden in Nightingale Road, Edmonton on Thursday before being pronounced dead at the scene.

The house in the busy street where Ms Silva's body was found became the scene of a major police operation after officers were called to the area.

Metropolitan Police officers said after the operation that there were no signs of a link to terrorism.

Tributes have been paid to the elderly woman of Italian descent who ran a nearby cafe.

Dilek Solma, 19, who works next door, said: "I'm so upset. She was a very smiley lady, always had a smile on her face, and loved the community."

Another shop worker Raj Thangavelselvaraj, 50, said: "She was a nice lady, she was a good lady to everyone. It's very sad."

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UK Airlines Axe Flights Due To Italian Strike

Several UK airlines have warned passengers of major disruption to flights as a result of a strike by Italian air traffic controllers.

Ryanair says it has been forced to cancel 96 flights to and from Italy. They include a number of flights serving UK airports.

EasyJet has had to axe a further 60 flights, including 20 in and out of the UK.

British Airways has also had to re-schedule a number of flights.

The four-hour strike is scheduled to last from 11.30am to 3.30pm UK time.

However it is expected to cause delays throughout the day, with more cancellations likely.

Ryanair has apologised for the disruption

Ryanair spokesman Robin Kiely said: "We sincerely apologise to all passengers who have had their travel plans disrupted by these unjustified ATC (Air Traffic Controllers) strikes."

The airline encouraged all passengers to check the status of their flight before travelling.

EasyJet said: "We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact to our customers and we are offering anyone flying to and from Italy during those times the opportunity to transfer their flight free of charge to another day to avoid the strike.

"They should go to easyJet.com to make changes to their flights."

Meanwhile a spokesman for BA said: "We are doing all we can to minimise disruption to customers affected by the threatened strike.

"We have re-timed a number of flights and are using larger aircraft where possible to help more customers, from cancelled flights, fly to where they need to be.

"We are advising customers flying to and from Italy to keep checking the very latest information on our website."

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Ashya Can Be Flown To Prague, UK Judge Says

Brain tumour patient Ashya King can be taken to a clinic in the Czech Republic to receive treatment not available in England after a High Court judge approved his parents' request to do so.

Mr Justice Baker approved the move following telephone discussions between lawyers representing Ashya's parents and the hospital in Southampton where he was being treated.

He is expected to give more details of the agreement reached at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London on Monday.

It is not clear when five-year-old Ashya will travel to the Czech capital Prague.

Ashya's parents Brett and Naghemeh King answer questions from the media

He is currently in hospital in the coastal town of Malaga in southern Spain after being made a ward of court.

That happened after his mother and father took him from Southampton General without permission to receive proton beam therapy, which is not available on the NHS.

They went to Spain where they have a property they planned to sell to pay for the treatment, which costs tens of thousands of pounds.

Soon after, Brett and Naghemeh King, who have six other children, were detained under a European arrest warrant issued by the UK.

Mr and Mrs King arrive to see Ashya in hospital

They were freed from prison on Tuesday night after the case against them was dropped amid a public backlash, and were later reunited with their son at the Materno-Infantil Hospital in Malaga.

Earlier, the Czech Proton Therapy Centre in Prague said it would help transport Ashya and his parents to the city.

Spokeswoman Iva Tatounova told Sky News: "We have a private jet ready when needed to transfer Ashya from Spain.

"We were asked by Spanish and UK specialists if we are ready and how the transportation will be provided.

The Proton Therapy Centre in Prague

"We told them we are ready and we can arrange it. If the court allows it and the parents agree with the treatment we can transport them here."

The centre said it had seen Ashya's medical records and believes proton therapy will be suitable for him. It said it could provide all the care he needs.

Once Ashya arrives there, Mr Justice Baker said the boy would cease to be a ward of court.

A fundraising page set up to help pay for his treatment has so far raised more than £41,000, while charity Kids'n'Cancer UK said it had agreed to pay the £100,000 needed for the therapy, plus living costs, after donors pledged £35,000 in 24 hours.

Ashya receiving treatment in hospital

Mr and Mrs King said they removed Ashya from Southampton General because they were not happy with the treatment on offer there.

They said they informed staff of their plans to take him abroad although they did not give a date for fear they might be stopped.

In a statement issued after the judge's ruling, the hospital said: "Today's judgement will allow Ashya to get the treatment he urgently needs without any further delays.

"Throughout the period that we cared for Ashya and over the last few days, our only interest has been his health, medical treatment and welfare.

"We will continue to support any clinicians involved in his future care with advice and information."

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Witness: Suspect 'Was Fighting' With Police

Woman Found Beheaded In Back Garden Named

Updated: 9:29pm UK, Thursday 04 September 2014

A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 82-year-old woman was beheaded in broad daylight in a suburban back garden.

Palmira Silva, a widow believed to be of Italian descent, was found at an address in Edmonton, north London just after 1pm after police received reports of a man with a knife in Nightingale Road.

Other potential victims escaped in what appears to be a random attack, Sky sources say.

Police say they do not believe there is a terrorist motive but have not confirmed if Ms Silva, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was beheaded.

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "They haven't confirmed that the woman has been beheaded, refusing at this stage to discuss the injuries she's suffered.

"But we are on very good sources reporting the fact that the woman was found decapitated and police are certainly not telling us that we're wrong in doing that."

Witnesses reported seeing a man running around the area as police arrived and he was seen attacking a car.

The first report police received said a man was attacking an animal, a cat or a dog.

One local resident, who did not want to be named, described seeing a man brandishing a machete and shouting about cats.

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was cornered in a house by officers after moving through a number of back gardens.

Metropolitan Police Commander Simon Letchford said: "Officers who attended the scene have evacuated a number of those people from those premises to make them safe.

"During that period they distracted the man from carrying out any further attacks."

An attempted attack on two people at another address in Nightingale Road is also being investigated. Police say they believe they were able to get out of the house without being injured.

One witness has told Sky News a man was "fighting" with police.

The suspect was detained by firearms officers and taser stun guns were fired.

One officer was injured during the arrest and is believed to have suffered a broken wrist.

The man was injured in the arrest and is being treated in hospital, where he is under guard.

Police will then determine whether he can be interviewed.

A weapon has been recovered but police have not revealed what it was.

Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, who is leading the investigation, described it as a "a highly visible attack in broad daylight".

He said: "I can understand why this may cause people concern, however we are confident that we are not looking for anyone else at this stage."

Residents are still waiting to be allowed back into their homes and the road remains cordoned off as forensic officers continue their work.

Ms Silva's next of kin have been informed.

A neighbour who knew her said she was "such a sweet lady" who went to work every day in a nearby cafe.

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Woman Found Beheaded In Back Garden Named

A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 82-year-old woman was beheaded in broad daylight in a suburban back garden.

Palmira Silva, a widow believed to be of Italian descent, was found at an address in Edmonton, north London just after 1pm after police received reports of a man with a knife in Nightingale Road.

Other potential victims escaped in what appears to be a random attack, Sky sources say.

Police and ambulance crews are at the scene. Pic: redbutdred

Police say they do not believe there is a terrorist motive but have not confirmed if Ms Silva, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was beheaded.

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "They haven't confirmed that the woman has been beheaded, refusing at this stage to discuss the injuries she's suffered.

"But we are on very good sources reporting the fact that the woman was found decapitated and police are certainly not telling us that we're wrong in doing that."

Police officers at the scene of the stabbing

Witnesses reported seeing a man running around the area as police arrived and he was seen attacking a car.

The first report police received said a man was attacking an animal, a cat or a dog.

One local resident, who did not want to be named, described seeing a man brandishing a machete and shouting about cats.

Sky sources say it was a random attack

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was cornered in a house by officers after moving through a number of back gardens.

Metropolitan Police Commander Simon Letchford said: "Officers who attended the scene have evacuated a number of those people from those premises to make them safe.

"During that period they distracted the man from carrying out any further attacks."

Witnesses reported seeing a man running around the area

An attempted attack on two people at another address in Nightingale Road is also being investigated. Police say they believe they were able to get out of the house without being injured.

One witness has told Sky News a man was "fighting" with police.

The suspect was detained by firearms officers and taser stun guns were fired.

It is not known what weapon was used

One officer was injured during the arrest and is believed to have suffered a broken wrist.

The man was injured in the arrest and is being treated in hospital, where he is under guard.

Police will then determine whether he can be interviewed.

A police officer was injured as the man was arrested

A weapon has been recovered but police have not revealed what it was.

Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, who is leading the investigation, described it as a "a highly visible attack in broad daylight".

He said: "I can understand why this may cause people concern, however we are confident that we are not looking for anyone else at this stage."

Police described the incident as a "highly visible attack"

Residents are still waiting to be allowed back into their homes and the road remains cordoned off as forensic officers continue their work.

Ms Silva's next of kin have been informed.

A neighbour who knew her said she was "such a sweet lady" who went to work every day in a nearby cafe.

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Man Shot Dead By Police In Knife Incident

Police have shot dead a man who was threatening a woman with a knife at a house in London, Scotland Yard said.

The incident happened at a property in Islington and it is understood the man and the woman knew each other.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said the woman was unharmed and is being treated for shock.

The man was treated at the scene in Shepperton Road but died on the way to hospital.

Police had sent a negotiator to the scene at 11.19pm on Thursday following reports the man had broken into a house.

Rosa Whiteread, 28, a primary school teacher who lives in the street, said: "I was asleep and I heard shouting - it woke me up. It must have been around 12.30 at night.

"I looked out of the window and I saw lots of police, there must have been around a dozen of them. I asked them what was going on, but they said they couldn't tell me.

"I'm not sure if the police were armed, but I saw a police dog. It's shocking."

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I heard lots of shots - three or four. Like a bonfire. I've never heard anything like it before. It was really scary.

"There were a lot of police with guns. It was very scary. The people who lived there moved in around a year ago - I thought the man was her son."

Neil Basu, Specialist Crime and Operations officer with the Metropolitan Police, said: "Initial reports were that a man had broken into the house and officers were faced with a man threatening a woman with a knife.

"Police negotiators and the London Ambulance Service were call called to the scene. The man was shot by police and treated at the scene but pronounced dead en-route to hospital.

"The woman is unharmed but in shock. We believe the man and women were known to each other but we cannot confirm the nature of that relationship. The man is a 40-year-old black man who was born in Islington.

"In the last 24 hours we have seen a number of high-profile incidents. Those kind of incidents are very rare indeed and London continues to be a safe city."

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Police Asking Victims To 'Investigate Own Crimes'

Hard-pressed police forces are "encouraging" victims of high-volume crimes to carry out their own investigations, a policing watchdog has warned.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said the "emerging trend" was identified in an investigation into 43 forces in England and Wales.

In a report summarising its findings, HMIC said its inspectors had witnessed call-handlers asking victims of offences like vehicle crime and "burglaries of properties other than dwellings" to assess the likelihood of the crime being solved.

It said some forces asked victims whether there was any CCTV footage of the area, any potential fingerprint evidence and whether the victim knew if there were any witnesses to the crime. 

In some cases victims were asked to interview their neighbours and to search for their property on second-hand sales websites.

"HMIC finds this expectation by these forces that the victim should investigate his own crime both surprising and a matter of material concern," the report said.

"The police have been given powers and resources to investigate crime by the public, and there should be no expectation on the part of it."

Inspector of Constabulary Roger Baker, who led the inspection, said overall police forces have "done a good job in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour".

Some high-volume crimes are 'on the verge of being decriminalised'

However he said the emerging trend suggested many officers have essentially "given up" on investigating high-volume crimes.

"It's more a mindset, that we no longer deal with these things," he said.

"Effectively what's happened is a number of crimes are on the verge of being decriminalised.

"So it's not the fault of the individual staff, it's a mindset thing that's crept in to policing to say 'we've almost given up'."

The report, named 'Core Business: an inspection into crime prevention, police attendance and the use of police time,' investigated a number of aspects of modern policing, including response to calls, quality of investigation and the use of technology.

Among its findings, HMIC said some forces were losing track of suspects and wanted persons as their systems for actively pursuing them were not up to scratch.

It also identified a policing "postcode lottery", saying attendance rates at crime scenes varied widely between police forces.

In the year to November 30, 2013, for example, 100% of crimes in Cleveland were attended by a police officer.

In Warkwickshire, however, that figure stood at just 39%.

The report also criticised the use of technology in policing across the board as "inadequate."

Shadow Policing Minister Jack Dromey said: "The HMIC report provides damning evidence that the decisions made by this Tory-led government are hitting the public ever harder with victims being let down and, extraordinarily, some even being asked to investigate their own crime.

"Theresa May has cut more police officers than any other country in Europe. With 16,000 gone, the thin blue line is being stretched ever thinner."

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Calais Migrants Caught On Video Rushing Ferry

The mayor of Calais has threatened to shut the port after 100 migrants tried to storm their way onto a ferry to Britain.

Police and port security were overwhelmed as the group forced open a gate and climbed over security fences before running towards the docks.

Ramps to the ferries had to be raised to prevent the men boarding the ships as a larger group of 150 migrants gathered outside the dock entrance.

The men were chased through the port by police and security

Video showed the group being chased through the port by police as lorry drivers looked on.

Ferry companies declared the port invasion a "huge intrusion" and ferry company P&O, who had a ferry at the quayside at the time, confirmed it closed all its ship's doors.

Lorry driver Mark Salt, who shot the video, said: "I checked into P&O for the crossing heard a lot of other truckers banging their horns by the border agency check point.

Ferry companies raised their ramps to prevent the men boarding the ships

"Then about 80-100 immigrants came into view heading straight for the ramps where a ship was about to dock. P&O staff, port workers and border agency security attempted to coral these guys away from the ramps."

The ship's crew reportedly turned their fire hoses on the men to prevent them boarding the ship. The ferry was delayed for about 45 minutes while it was searched by police and the crew.

Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart said she could block the port after meeting French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

Ferry companies using the port declared the invasion a 'huge intrusion'

"It would be illegal," Ms Bouchart admitted, "but today I want to make a strong gesture towards the British.

"The aim is to shut all the squats in Calais to control the influx so there are fewer migrants arriving in the town."

Ms Bouchart has criticised the British government for demanding security be increased at the port in Calais, but not offering a sufficient contribution towards the 10 million euro (£8m) annual cost.

Around 1,200 migrants live in makeshift camps in the town and make regular attempts to cross the channel by hiding in lorries bound for Britain.

Police attempts to clear the camps have led to violent confrontations with the men who mostly come from East African countries such as Somalia and Eritrea.

Ms Bouchart and Mr Cazeneuve have discussed opening a day centre for immigrants in the town and a night shelter for the women and children.

A Red Cross centre in nearby Sangatte was opened for migrants in 1999 but was closed in 2002 after it became overcrowded.

:: Did you see the attempt to board the ferry? Email news@sky.com

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Murder Hunt After Woman's Body Found In Field

Police have launched a murder investigation after the body of a woman was found in a field in the New Forest.

Hampshire Constabulary's Major Investigation Team (HMIT) said police were called to the field on Lyndhurst Road, near Brockenhurst, at 4.42pm on Tuesday after the body was discovered.

It is thought the woman was tending to her horse prior to her death.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, who is leading the investigation said: "We are treating the discovery of a woman's body in Beaulieu as murder.

Police are patrolling the area near Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst

"I am unable at this time to provide any further information regarding the victim until all of the family has been informed and formal identification has taken place."

Sky News Reporter Charlotte Lomas said results of a post-mortem examination by a Home Office forensic pathologist could be revealed on Thursday.

She said: "Police are now patrolling the area. The field lies fairly close to a busy road.

"Officers are hoping that anybody with information will get in touch, especially if they were in the area between 2pm and 5pm on Tuesday afternoon."

A white forensic tent remains in the field where the woman's body was discovered.

Det Supt Barton said police patrols have been stepped up in the area.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Hampshire Major Investigation Team (HMIT) on 101 or via the website quoting Operation Biscotti.

Alternatively they can contact charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Rotherham Abuse Scandal: Twelve New Victims

Twelve more victims have come forward with allegations of child sexual abuse in Rotherham, police have said.

South Yorkshire Chief Constable David Crompton said the dozen had reported the claims since a damning report was published last week into a child sex exploitation scandal in the town.

The Jay Report criticised the failure of both Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police to respond to the abuse of 1,400 young people between 1997 and 2013.

The report detailed harrowing examples of girls from the town - many of them in local authority care - who were raped, trafficked and threatened with extreme violence.

It found senior council officers, elected members and police officers were aware of the problem for years but failed to tackle it.

Mr Crompton told an MPs' committee he now has 62 officers dedicated to dealing with child sex abuse, compared to just three in 2010 and eight in 2012.

South Yorkshire Chief Constable David Crompton faces MPs

And he said 104 convictions had been secured since the start of 2013, while 40 more suspects were on bail.

His force is conducting nine "multiple victim, multiple offender" investigations, including two in Rotherham, he said.

An independent inquiry by an external police force will look into the force's handling of sex abuse complaints.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Theresa May has said Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police were guilty of a "complete dereliction of duty" over the scandal.

Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, she said the Jay Report made "shocking reading," adding there was no excuse for victims' appeals for help being ignored.

Theresa May criticised Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police

She said: "We must ensure these perpetrators are brought to justice. We will not delay in taking action now to protect children who are at risk of sexual exploitation.

"All local authorities working with other public bodies, like the police, health and children's services, have a responsibility to keep our children safe."

Mrs May said she would be chairing meetings with other ministers to look at what happened in Rotherham and consider what can be done to prevent the situation happening again.

Her comments come as South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner is expected to face a grilling from MPs after his refusal to resign over the Rotherham abuse scandal.

Shaun Wright has faced mounting pressure to step down following the report

Shaun Wright was responsible for children's services at the town council for five of the 16 years when children were reported to have been targeted by gangs of older men.

The Home Affairs Select Committee will ask Mr Wright to appear on September 10, along with Rotherham Council's chief executive Martin Kimber and director of children and young people's services Joyce Thacker.

Mr Wright has faced mounting pressure to step down following the Jay Report.

He quit the Labour Party last week after it threatened to suspend him over the scandal.

But he has so far refused to quit as police commissioner despite calls from a number of senior figures, including Prime Minister David Cameron.

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