London Housing. Image: http://www.generationrent.org/

The number of people moving house in London last year fell to its lowest level for 25 years.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said home-movers in the Capital took out just 32,400 loans in 2016.

This was the lowest number since the recession of 1991, and was 10 % fewer than in 2015.

The CML’s Director General, Paul Smee, blamed higher rates of stamp duty, restraints on growth, and financial uncertainty for the slump in the market.

Mr Smee claimed that it’s the cost of moving rather than the cost of housing that’s stopping Londoners from buying and selling.

Manslaughter conviction over single punch killing in Blackheath

Oliver Dearlove. Image: Met Police

A 31 year old man from Plumstead has been found not guilty of murdering banker Oliver Dearlove in old Blackheath last August bank holiday weekend.

Mr Dearlove died from a single punch to the head.

Trevor Timon from Heavitree Road admitted manslaughter and will be sentenced on Friday by an Old Bailey Judge.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Watling, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said:

This is a tragic case where a young man has needlessly lost his life because of Timon’s uncontrolled violence. There was no reason for him to attack Oliver that night.

Oliver’s mother Joy Wright said:

The brutal and unnecessary killing of Oli has left a gaping hole in our family; Oliver was a quiet unassuming, modest boy who grew into a confident, friendly, non-confrontational young man.

Met Police special sergeant admits abuse of minor

Craig Keane. Image: Met Police

A volunteer Met Police officer has admitted sexually assaulting a child.

Craig Keane, who is 28, pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault of a child aged under 13.

He was suspended from duty as an MSC officer after he was charged in January.

He was caught after Met officers in the Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command launched an investigation.

He will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 20th.

Puppy rescued by firefighters recovering after blaze in Harlesden cannabis factory

Smokey and damage to property in Harlesden. Image: London Fire Brigade.

A puppy, nicknamed Smokey, is recovering after being rescued by the London Fire Brigade in a house blaze in Harlesden on Sunday.

It turned out that the terraced property in Nightingale Road is a suspected cannabis factory.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced entry and found the puppy cowering in a ground floor room.

The little dog was not seriously injured, given oxygen and is now recovering well.