Each week, Ben Hopkinson looks back at a serious, crazy, and happy news story from the past week.
Serious News
London has seen a rise in shoplifting – offences are up 54% in 2024, compared with 2023.
Almost 90,000 were recorded within the capital, up from approximately 58,000 the year prior, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
However, the rest of England (excluding London) increased by 15%.
There was also statistics released for thefts from a person – London saw an increase of 41%, while Greater Manchester saw a decrease by 28%.
A spokesperson says that the Mayor of London has announced an investment of £1.16billion to the Met Police which would “save 935 neighbourhood police officer roles and ensure officers are visible in our high streets”.
Crazy News
A student from China was airlifted from Mount Fiji in Japan – and then had to be rescued again just four days later.
The 27-year-old had to make an emergency call on 22nd April after getting altitude sickness on the Fujinomiya trail which is 3,000 metres (or nearly 10,000 feet) above sea level.
However, four days later the student had to call emergency services again, after he went back to try and find his phone and belongings which was initially left behind.
The story has got outrage on social media, as some demand that he should be charged for his second rescue – even though there is currently no penalty to be rescued.
Happy News
A book swap scheme is set to be re-established at certain London Underground stations after it was suspended controversially for fire safety grounds.
TfL have re-continued the proposal to 15 stations that are surface-level as a “suitable fire-proof storage solution”.
High Barnet is first to get the fire-proof cabinets with Acton Town, Cockfosters, Ealing Common, East Finchley, Hammersmith, Kew Gardens, Kilburn, Morden, Northfields, Oakwood, Ravenscourt Park, Stamford Brook, Totteridge & Whetstone and Willesden Green all set to follow.
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, is happy to see the book swapping scheme restored as he says he wanted to "to see a solution as soon as possible for them to return to sub-surface ones. I know from personal experience and talking to commuters what a difference they make across London”.
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