Map shows the London sewage spill hotspots - check your ar

Sewage was emptied into London’s waterways thousands of times last year - find the discharges near you by using our interactive map.

There were a total of 3,183 sewage spills into rivers and streams in London during 2024, an average of almost nine a day. That’s an increase from 3,007 in 2023, according to figures from the Rivers Trust.

The spills ran for a combined total of 12,557 hours (up from 9,773 a year earlier), which works out as the equivalent of 523 days non-stop.

The country’s sewage network empties both treated sewage and overflows of untreated sewage mixed with stormwater into rivers and waterways.

The vast majority of these dumping points are monitored throughout the year with the number of spills and the duration of the spills reported annually. There were 563,730 spills across England and Wales in 2024, according to figures from the Rivers Trust.

It works out at an average of 1,544 a day. That is down from 1,588 per day in 2023, however.

Last year’s spills ran for a combined total of 4.55 million hours. It’s the equivalent of a tap running constantly for 520 years, which would take you back to around the time Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling and Henry VIII was on the throne.

An overflow at Putney Bridge Street was the most active in London last year. The site - which is at the south bank at the bridge - emptied into the Thames 127 times last year for a total of 853 hours. That’s equivalent to running non-stop for 36 days.

Brixton Storm Relief Sewer - by the Vauxhall Bridge - was the next most active, spilling 67 times for a combined total of 787 hours (equivalent to 33 days).

Sloane Street, Raneleigh Gardens - by where the Chelsea flower show is held - was the next most active, spilling for a combined total of 516 hours. That’s followed by Nags Head Lane Sewage Treatment Works at 491 hours and Mogden Sewage Treatment Works at 472 hours.

You can see how many spills have occurred in your local area by using our interactive map:

London’s sewage spilling sites were a long way from being the most active in the country, however. The most active tipping point last year was at Salcombe Regis in Devon. It was open constantly for the whole of 2024 according to the data, a total of 8,773 hours.

South West Water, the water company that operates the site, says it is investigating the cause of the high spill numbers from the Salcombe Regis storm overflow. It also says that several “significant unauthorised connections to the sewer network are contributing high levels of additional flows into the sewer. This includes highway road gullies with extensive road runoff, which are allowing water to enter our sewers, dramatically increasing the levels in the network.”

A storm overflow into the River Lavant was the next most active in the country. It was open for a combined total of 6,830 hours in 2024. That’s equivalent to 285 days.

Wessex Water’s Hurdcott Storm Tank was the third most active at 6,467 hours, equivalent to running constantly for 269 days. A spokesperson for the company said that this was one of a number of sites impacted by high groundwater. This is where groundwater enters the sewerage network, often from private pipes, and causes overflows to automatically operate to prevent flooding.

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London first-time buyers with family help put down £224k deposits - nearly £80k more

First-time buyers getting help from the “bank of mum and dad” typically make the jump onto the property ladder two years earlier, nd have stark differences in deposits, compared with those without additional help, analysis indicates.

UK Finance said that the growing reliance on financial help from relatives “risks deepening inequality in the housing market”. It looked at the impact of family financial support in the first-time buyer market by analysing “assisted” and “unassisted” buyers in 2024. UK Finance used modelling from its loans data to estimate which first-time buyers are buying with deposits they could have reasonably saved in their lifetime, given their income, and which buyers have deposits which may indicate they had help raising the cash.

Despite their lower typical incomes, assisted buyers tend to buy higher-priced properties, thanks to their bigger deposits facilitated by family support.

The average deposit put down by buyers with family help is £118,073 and the average amount put down by unassisted first-time buyers is £60,741.

Across the UK, the average purchase price for buyers who have family assistance is £317,846 and the average price paid for those without this extra support is £279,381.

The difference in deposit amounts is particularly pronounced in London, the analysis found. In 2024, a first-time buyer purchasing a home in London without family support typically put down a deposit of £145,133. But among those receiving family assistance, the average deposit was £224,054.

First-time buyers who receive assistance are able to buy a home at an average age of just over 30, with an average household income of £56,000. Those purchasing without support tend to be around 32-and-a-half years old and have a higher average household income, at £65,000, UK Finance said.

UK Finance also looked at the impact of a temporary stamp duty holiday, introduced during the coronavirus pandemic. It appears to have had uneven effects, particularly helping those who could also get help from the bank of mum and dad, UK Finance said.

The policy also coincided with a notable increase in borrowers withdrawing sizeable amounts of equity when remortgaging, suggesting that some households were drawing on their own property wealth to help family get on the housing ladder, UK Finance said.

On Thursday this week, the Bank of England reduced the base rate to 4.25%, from 4.5%. Housing market experts have suggested the rate cut could help to inject more buyer interest into the housing market, with several lenders having already introduced more mortgages with sub-4% rates.

James Tatch, UK Finance’s head of analytics, said: “First-time buyers are essential to the UK housing market, helping to unlock transactions further up the chain and maintain overall liquidity.

“While the majority of first-time buyers are still managing to purchase without help, the growing reliance on family support risks deepening inequality in the housing market. A balanced approach which addresses both supply and affordability issues is essential to ensure the door to home ownership remains open to all.”

Toby Leek, NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) Propertymark president, said: “These figures demonstrate that there is still much work to be done to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder, and that for many people under the age of 30, homeownership is not a realistic aspiration without financial support from parents.”

Henry Jordan, Nationwide Building Society’s director of home, said: “First-time buyers are vital to the housing market and economy, but home ownership remains a challenge for many without additional support. Alongside building a deposit, many also struggle to borrow enough.”

He said Nationwide’s Helping Hand deal, which gives first-time buyers the ability to borrow up to six times income at up to 95% loan-to-value, has helped more than 55,000 customers since its launch in 2021.

Here are average incomes, home purchase prices, deposit sizes and ages for first-time buyers with assistance, followed by the same figures for buyers without assistance, according to UK Finance:

• East Anglia, £51,698, £286,957, £102,340, 30.0, £63,086, £273,723, £56,060, 32.4
• East Midlands, £44,959, £237,872, £80,486, 29.5, £56,206, £229,565, £41,788, 32.3
• London, £87,895, £546,972, £224,054, 31.7, £107,262, £519,880, £145,133, 33.9
• North East, £40,624, £189,455, £66,176, 28.7, £49,281, £167,161, £29,918, 31.3
• North West, £44,971, £231,697, £82,579, 29.8, £55,661, £212,871, £40,262, 32.2
• Northern Ireland, £42,680, £205,514, £87,177, 29.9, £51,495, £183,571, £40,165, 32.3
• Scotland, £42,814, £203,450, £72,267, 28.5, £52,003, £182,442, £36,882, 31.6
• South East, £60,659, £359,719, £127,833, 30.7, £75,032, £347,481, £71,951, 33.2
• South West, £50,290, £288,601, £104,071, 30.3, £60,887, £275,911, £58,882, 32.5
• Wales, £41,824, £212,558, £75,985, 29.7, £51,157, £193,640, £35,551, 31.8
• West Midlands, £45,953, £248,705, £87,239, 30.2, £57,048, £235,819, £45,037, 32.6
• Yorkshire and the Humber, £42,155, £214,354, £75,357, 29.2, £51,728, £196,711, £37,809, 31.5
• UK, £56,015, £317,846, £118,073, 30.2, £65,351, £279,381, £60,741, 32.5

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Warning over unsafe perfume after £18k worth of fake goods seized at East London car boot sale

£18,000 worth of counterfeit products including unsafer perfume have been seized from an East London car boot sale. Havering Council officers targeted individuals and traders selling unsafe counterfeit, stolen or illegal goods at from the Bonzer Car Boot Sale on Thursday 1 May,

At the car boot sale off Whalebone Lane North, the trading standards team identified three stalls involved in unlawful trading. One was selling suspected counterfeit and potentially unsafe perfumes and fragrances, plus electrical items. The other two stalls were found to be selling illegal vapes that did not meet UK regulations.

A total of £12,600 worth of counterfeit and unsafe products were seized, along with £5,400 worth of non-compliant vapes.

This action is part of ongoing efforts to crack down on the sale of illegal goods and protect the public from unsafe products, alongside the Metropolitan Police in a joint operation.

Police seized around half a million pounds worth of suspected stolen tools overall. They made six arrests and recovered around 1,500 items at the boot sale and a further 159 tools were seized during another search at a property in Hackney. Four men and two women, aged between 25 and 60 and from Hackney, Newham and Kent, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. They have since been bailed while officers carry out further enquiries.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said: “This is once again excellent work from our trading standards team working in partnership with police and other partners. Illegal and harmful products have been taken off the streets in our borough as a result of this operation.

"I know there has been a lot of work to get this result, so I thank everyone involved. It’s our aim to help keep our residents as safe as possible. We want to continue to crackdown on a crime that is often hiding in plain sight in venues such as car boot sales and in and around our town centres.

"That is why we will continue to take the strongest action we can, against those trying to sell these harmful and illegal products and work with the police to bring them to justice.”

The intelligence-led activity was carried out in response to concerns from tradespeople about tool theft Inspector Mark Connolly, from the Havering Safer Neighbourhood Team who led the operation, said:

"We know tool theft has a significant impact on tradespeople and we're working hard across the Met to tackle it through targeted operations such as this as well as prevention with those directly affected.

"While victims have their livelihoods disrupted, organised crime groups are making significant money from selling on suspected stolen tools and we won't stand for it.

"This is the second operation of this kind we've carried out over the past month and we will continue to take action against those who make the lives of Londoners a misery through this type of offending."

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Where Liam Payne’s £24m fortune will go after star left no will - not to Cheryl or his girlfriend

Cheryl Tweedy is set to become an administrator of Liam Payne's multi-million estate, after the late pop star left no will - but she is unlikely to benefit financially from it. Fans were left distraught when the One Direction star suffered a fatal fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last October.

The 'Strip That Down' artist and dad to Bear, eight, with Cheryl, had assets amounting to £24.3m. Legal procedures began on May 1, with music attorney Richard Bray joining Cheryl as an administrator of the fortune initially totalling £28.6m before deductions.

Shortly following Liam's death, Cheryl shared a heartfelt message: "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being."

The pop star's estate amounted to £28.6 million (Image: Hanna Lassen, Getty Images for The ATC)

She added: "Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again. What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future."

Cheryl also pleaded with the public about the harm of speculation and insensitivity following Liam's passing. She said: "I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them. Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last. Thank you, Cheryl."

The couple welcomed their son Bear into the world at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London on 22 March 2017, reports the Mirror. Liam shared his emotions on Instagram at the time, stating: "My close friends and family know there are very few times when I'm left speechless... wow!"

Kate Cassidy, Liam's girlfriend at the time of his death, is unlikely to benefit from his estate (Image: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis, Corbis via Getty Images)

Despite splitting shortly after Bear's first birthday, Cheryl and Liam remained committed to co-parenting. While Liam wasn't always physically present, he consistently ensured that his son's needs were met.

Close associates of Liam indicated that the thoughtful performer had put provisions in place years earlier so that his wealth would benefit Bear should anything happen to him.

An insider confided to The Daily Mail, noting Liam's deep love for his child: "Liam had some very sensible people around him for a time and he adored Bear so much. He always wanted to do the right thing by him financially. It is a small consolation that Bear will never want for anything, that he will at least benefit from that."

What does the law say?

According to the UK's 'rules of intestacy', the money and assets of an 'intestate person' - someone who died without making a will - will go to married partners, civil partners, or certain relatives. In Liam's case, as he has never been married, it is unlikely that Cheryl or Kate Cassidy, his partner at the time of his death, will directly benefit from the late star's £24 million fortune.

Instead, the law dictates that Liam's fortune is likely to go to his son Bear, but he won't be able to receive the inheritance until he is 18 years old. Until then, the money will be held in a trust, managed by a 'trustee'. You can find out more about the UK's intestacy rules by visiting Citizen's Advice here.

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Photos show London Underground covered with graffiti after train washer 'out of service'

Photos from the London Underground show trains covered in graffiti, with Transport for London (TfL) stating there has been a 'significant increase' in the issue in recent months.

The problem has reportedly arisen due to a track defect in the transport authority's depot resulting in the automatic train wash being out of service for several weeks. This required trains to be cleaned by hand. TfL added that the issue had since been rectified and the train wash had returned to being used as normal.

One passenger said in a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request that the Central and Bakerloo lines of the London Underground were beginning to resemble the subway network in New York City in terms of their appearance.

A TfL spokesperson told MyLondon that it worked to remove graffiti as quickly as possible, with an emphasis on removing offensive graffiti as a matter of urgency.

They added: "Where graffiti cannot be removed easily, it is covered wherever possible and cleaned during engineering hours, in order to keep trains out on the network and minimise delays to our customers."

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This weekend set to be hotter than Barcelona as London temperatures soar again

The good weather is set to make a grand return, with thermostats predicting the capital to be warmer than Barcelona in the coming days. Despite last Thursday (May 1) being the hottest start to the month since records began, according to The Met Office, temperatures have since dropped.

Today (Monday, March 5) has been a chilly old day in the capital with thermostats plummeting to as little as 5C, reports the BBC. But the same forecaster predicts next Saturday (May 10) and Sunday (May 11) to be mightily warm with temperatures reaching as high as 22C.

Unfortunately things may get worse as we enter June. The Met Office forecasts “fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period. Overall, fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers, with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places. Overall, temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average”.

Upcoming London weather

Temperatures will reach 22C this week (Image: Steve Taylor/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

• Monday, May 5 - H14C, L5C, light cloud and a moderate breeze.

• Tuesday, May 6 - H16C, L6C. light cloud and a gentle breeze.

• Wednesday, May 7 - H17C, L7C, sunny intervals and a gentle breeze.

• Thursday, May 8 - H18C, L7C, sunny intervals and a gentle breeze.

• Friday, May 9 - H19C, L8C. sunny and a gentle breeze.

• Saturday, May 10 - H21C, L9C, sunny and a moderate breeze.

• Sunday, May 11 - H22C, L11C, sunny and a gentle breeze.

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£53k raised for East London student nurse brutally murdered days before graduation in Texas

More than £50k has been raised in memory of an East London student nurse who was stabbed to death in Texas. Her family want to bring her body home to "give her the peaceful and dignified farewell she deserves".

Tamilore Odunsi, known as Tami, was brutally murdered in her Texas home just days before she was due to graduate. Houston Police Department said officers had been called to an apartment complex for a welfare check in the South Side area of Houston when they saw blood on the patio on April 26 and then the body of Tami was found.

The student had multiple stab wounds and her body was lying on the kitchen floor. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. A male with at least one stab wound was taken to hospital in a critical condition, they added, with an investigation underway.

She was living in the US while studying for a nursing degree. The 23-year-old had a TikTok where she shared her experiences of living and studying abroad.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Tami's sister Georgina to pay for her body to be brought back and buried. As of Sunday, May 4, the fundraiser has raised just over £53k.

It reads: "With heavy hearts, we share the devastating loss of our beloved sister, daughter, and friend, Tamilore Odunsi—known to her TikTok family as Tami Dollars or TD.

"Tami was a beautiful soul, full of light, ambition, and kindness. She was just 23 years old. A devoted Christian, she was a God-fearing young woman who found strength and joy in her faith. She had a deep love for her church community, where she was actively involved and always eager to serve others with humility and grace."

Georgina added she moved to the US to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, and had a special love for children. She continued: "Tragically, Tami was brutally murdered just days before she was set to graduate from university—an unimaginable loss at a moment that should have marked the beginning of a bright and promising future.

"Tami touched so many lives in her short time here. Now, we are asking for help to give her the peaceful and dignified farewell she deserves. Our goal is to bring Tami home from the United States to the UK so she can be laid to rest surrounded by her family and loved ones. We are raising funds to cover the costs of her repatriation, funeral, and burial, and to support our family during this incredibly painful time.

"Any amount you can give—no matter how small—will make a difference. And if you’re unable to give, please consider sharing this page and keeping our family in your prayers. We love you, Tami. You will forever be in our hearts."

To view Tami's fundraiser click here.

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