WEMBLEY MATTERS News and views on local politics, the environment, climate change, culture and local history
Brent Council has come to the rescue of the wilting memorial tree dedicated to murdered sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman after an appeal for help from Wembley Matters. The tree close to Barn hill pond has been badly affected by the current drought.
Brent Council said:
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please note we are are getting water to the tree. It is suffering, but we are hoping that some intensive watering will help to revive it.
Bearing the slogan, 'Enough is Enough', a group of mainly women set off at 1pm from Barn Hill, Wembley today, to march the 10 miles to New Scotland Yard, to demand an end to the police racism and misogyny that so impacted on family and friends of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman.
Mina Smallman, the women's mother, was unable to take part but sent a message of support.
Marchers were asked to set their mobile phone timers for 16 hours so that their alarms would go off after the march was over, demonstrating how long it took the police to act on reports of the women's disappearance.
The Raised Voices choir sang as people assembled on Barn Hill and the music loved by Nicole and Bibaa accompanied the marchers.
The Women's Equality Party who organised the march said that this was just the beginning of the campaign for justice.
From Women's Equality Party
It’s now nearly two years since Nicole and Bibaa were tragically murdered, since the police utterly failed to respond when they went missing officers charged guarding them took ‘selfies’ with their bodies. Since then more then more than two hundred women have lost their lives to male violence, tens of thousands more have experienced rape or sexual assault. Meanwhile politicians and the police have made empty apologies and fought about which of them carries the most blame
Enough is enough. These past two years have seen a groundswell of support for real, lasting change to the institutions that are meant to protect us.
On Tuesday June 7th we are marching to honour Nicole and Bibaa, and all the women we have lost their lives to male violence. March with us for every woman who has to live in fear, and for every black woman who is forced to live the double jeopardy of malignant racism and misogyny.
The full march will be ten miles, from the park where Nicole and Bibaa were tragically murdered to the doors of New Scotland Yard - laying the responsibility for racist, misogynist policing firmly at their doors.
The meeting point at Barn Hill Pond, Fryent Country Park (a walk from Wembley Park station)
Alternative transport will be available if you are unable to walk or roll the full distance, or you can join us for the final mile from 6pm, or at the final rally outside New Scotland Yard.
Sign up to the full ten mile march below.
From Women's Equality Party
It’s now nearly two years since Nicole and Bibaa were tragically murdered, since the police utterly failed to respond when they went missing officers charged guarding them took ‘selfies’ with their bodies. Since then more then more than two hundred women have lost their lives to male violence, tens of thousands more have experienced rape or sexual assault. Meanwhile politicians and the police have made empty apologies and fought about which of them carries the most blame
Enough is enough. These past two years have seen a groundswell of support for real, lasting change to the institutions that are meant to protect us.
On June 7th we are marching to honour Nicole and Bibaa, and all the women we have lost their lives to male violence. March with us for every woman who has to live in fear, and for every black woman who is forced to live the double jeopardy of malignant racism and misogyny.
The full march will be ten miles, from the park where Nicole and Bibaa were tragically murdered to the doors of New Scotland Yard - laying the responsibility for racist, misogynist policing firmly at their doors.
The meeting point at Barn Hill Pond, Fryent Country Park (a walk from Wembley Park station)
Alternative transport will be available if you are unable to walk or roll the full distance, or you can join us for the final mile from 6pm, or at the final rally outside New Scotland Yard.
Sign up to the full ten mile march below.
From the Metropolitan Police
Two former Metropolitan Police officers have both been jailed for two years and nine months after taking inappropriate photographs at the scene of a double murder in Wembley.
Deniz Jaffer, 47, and Jamie Lewis, 33 – previously both PCs at the North East Basic Command Unit – were sentenced at the Old Bailey on Monday, 6 December having previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.
Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball, Professionalism, said: "Our thoughts are once more with the family and friends of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman. I am so sorry that during the most difficult time in their lives the actions of these two officers caused them so much additional pain and distress.
“Today former PCs Jaffer and Lewis have been punished for their actions which were utterly unprofessional, disrespectful and deeply insensitive.
“All of us in the Met and wider policing are horrified by their shameful behaviour."
An accelerated misconduct hearing was held for the officers on Wednesday, 24 November.
The hearing was to determine allegations their actions breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, equality and diversity, authority, respect and courtesy, duties and responsibilities, confidentiality and challenging and reporting improper conduct.
The allegations were all found proven. PC Lewis was dismissed without notice and it was determined that former PC Jaffer, who had resigned, would have been dismissed without notice had he still been a serving officer.
Both former officers have been added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
On 17 June 2020 the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed of allegations anonymously reported that non-official and inappropriate photographs had been taken by police at the crime scene in Fryent Country Park, Wembley, in relation to the murders of Bibaa and Nicole. The sisters were killed in the early hours of Saturday, 6 June 2020 with their bodies found the following day.
During the early hours of 8 June 2020, PC Jaffer and PC Lewis were placed on the cordon to protect the crime scene. They left their posts to take pictures on their mobile phones of the victims and the crime scene.
PCs Jaffer and Lewis shared images with other officers via WhatsApp. PC Jaffer also shared images with members of the public, including pictures of the victims.
PC Lewis created an image on his phone in which he superimposed his own face in a ‘selfie’ pose in front of the bodies. He shared this image with PC Jaffer.
Both officers belonged to one WhatsApp group called the ‘A Team’ which had 41 officers as members. Images were shared to that group of the crime scene, but not of the victims.
PCs Jaffer and Lewis both used the disrespectful and derogatory term “dead birds” to describe the victims while sharing the images.
Followed the reported allegations, the MPS made a referral to the IOPC, which launched an independent investigation. PC Jaffer and PC Lewis were arrested on Monday, 22 June 2020 by the IOPC on suspicion of misconduct in public office and subsequently released under investigation.
A file was referred by the IOPC to the CPS and both officers were charged on Wednesday, 28 April 2021. They pleaded guilty to the offence on Tuesday, 2 November 2021.
Following their arrest, the officers were suspended from duty. Former PC Jaffer resigned and left the Met on Wednesday, 18 August 2020. Under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, serving officers are allowed to resign or retire without requiring permission but still face misconduct matters as appropriate.
As soon as this matter came to light, the MPS took action on the North East Command to remind officers of their responsibilities in using WhatsApp and other social media channels. Local senior management spoke to officers on the command to outline what is expected of them in terms of their behaviour as well as encouraging anyone who has a concern about a colleague’s behaviour to come forward. This has subsequently been repeated across the whole Met.
The IOPC investigation made two fast-time learning recommendations to the MPS. The first was to ensure all officers within a single police station in the North East Command conform to the expectations of their behaviour under the Code of Ethics, whilst on and off duty, and are aware that failure to do so could severely damage the public’s confidence in policing.
The second was for the MPS to review whether supervisors and senior management at that police station are taking personal responsibility to identify and eliminate patterns of inappropriate behaviour, whilst simultaneously promoting a safe and open culture which makes clear to officers and staff that they are duty bound to challenge and report behaviour that does not align with the Code of Ethics.
These recommendations, which were received on Monday, 16 November 2020, have been implemented, not just within the single police station but across the entire North East Command.
In addition, across the MPS, all officers have been reminded that the standards they are expected to uphold apply at all times, including when they are off duty and when they are communicating on social media and using messaging apps.
Senior officers will continue work to ensure these recommendations are fully implemented throughout the organisation. This is being overseen by the DPS’s prevention and learning team.
+ We're working hard to raise standards in the Met and have commissioned an independent review by Baroness Louise Casey to examine our culture and standards of behaviour.
The behaviour of Lewis and Jaffer initially came to light because someone had concerns and anonymously reported them. We encourage all our officers and staff, and members of the public, to report wrong-doing and we will act on those reports.
Metropolitan Police Statement regarding the police officers who shared pictures of the bodies of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman taken at the murder scene in Fryent Country Park.
A police constable has been dismissed without notice and another would have been dismissed had he still been a serving officer for taking inappropriate photographs at the scene of a double murder in Wembley.
An accelerated misconduct hearing was held for PC Jamie Lewis and former PC Deniz Jaffer, who has resigned, following their guilty pleas at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 2 November to misconduct in public office.
The hearing was to determine allegations their actions breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, equality and diversity, authority, respect and courtesy, duties and responsibilities, confidentiality and challenging and reporting improper conduct.
The allegations were all found proven.
Both officers, who were based at the North East Command Unit, will be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
The hearing was chaired by Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball on Wednesday, 24 November.
AC Ball said: “The behaviour of PCs Lewis and Jaffer that day was shameful and fell very far below the standards we expect of all our officers. We do not want officers who act in such an unprofessional and disrespectful manner to be part of the Metropolitan Police Service.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman and we deeply regret the additional distress this matter has caused them. I am profoundly sorry, both personally and on behalf of the Met.
“The behaviour of PCs Lewis and Jaffer initially came to light because someone had concerns and anonymously reported them. I thank them for doing the right thing; we encourage all our officers and staff, and indeed members of the public, to report wrong-doing and we will act on those reports.”
On Wednesday, 17 June 2020 the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed of allegations that non-official and inappropriate photographs had been taken by police at the crime scene in Fryent Country Park, Wembley, in relation to the murders of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman. The sisters were killed in the early hours of Saturday, 6 June 2020 with their bodies found the following day.
During the early hours of 8 June 2020, PC Jaffer and PC Lewis were placed on the cordon to protect the crime scene. They left their posts to take pictures on their mobile phones of the victims and the crime scene. They shared the images with other officers and, in PC Jaffer’s case, with members of the public via WhatsApp.
Both officers used the disrespectful and derogatory term “dead birds” to describe the victims while sharing the images.
In an unconnected matter PC Jaffer used a racially derogatory term in a message to members of the public about a policing activity. PC Lewis responded with approval to another officer who used the same term and did not challenge or report it. That other officer will also face a gross misconduct hearing in due course.
Following the allegation about the photos taken in Wembley, the MPS made a referral to the IOPC, which launched an independent investigation. PC Jaffer and PC Lewis were arrested on Monday, 22 June 2020 by the IOPC on suspicion of misconduct in public office and subsequently released under investigation.
A file was referred by the IOPC to the CPS and both officers were charged on Wednesday, 28 April 2021. They will be sentenced on Monday, 6 December at the Old Bailey.
Following their arrest, the officers were suspended from duty. Former PC Jaffer resigned and left the Met on Wednesday, 18 August. Under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, serving officers are able to resign or retire without requiring permission but can still face misconduct proceedings. This ensures that if allegations are proven and they are dismissed, their names are added to the Barred List.
+ We're working hard to raise standards in the Met and have commissioned an independent review by Baroness Louise Casey to examine our culture and standards of behaviour.
Every Met employee is being spoken to about adhering to professional boundaries, their use of social media and their responsibility to challenge inappropriate behaviour.
Statement from Metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan Police Service will apologise to the family of Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry for the way we responded when the sisters were reported missing.
We agree with the findings of a report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct that found the level of service provided over the weekend when they went missing in June 2020 was below the standard that it should have been.
No misconduct was found for an officer and two members of police staff but there will be action taken over their performance, which was found to be inadequate. There was no suggestion racial bias played any part in how the missing persons reports were dealt with.
Commissioner Cressida Dick said:
My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Nicole and Bibaa for their tragic losses.
The way we responded to information that Nicole and Bibaa were missing that weekend was below the standard we should have achieved and compounded the distress felt by their loved ones.
While we know that very sadly Nicola and Bibaa had been murdered in the early hours of Saturday, 6 June 2020, before they were reported missing, if we had responded better we may have saved their friends and family immeasurable pain.
I am very sorry that the level of service we provided fell short. We have contacted the family to ask if they will allow me or, if they prefer, another senior officer to visit them at a time that is right to apologise in person.
The MPS made a mandatory referral to the IOPC around how we responded when the sisters were reported missing. The IOPC then launched an independent investigation.
As a result of the findings an inspector, from the North West Command, and a member of police staff, a communications supervisor attached to Met Command and Control at Lambeth, must undertake ‘unsatisfactory performance procedures’. They will both attend formal meetings to discuss their performance and appropriate action going forward.
A second member of police staff, a call handler based at Met Command and Control at Hendon, will receive ‘management action’. This means they will have a performance discussion with their line manager around what they can learn from this matter and how they can improve.
Following calls on the evening of 6 June to report the sisters missing, a police log was created and a missing persons investigation opened for Nicole, and then the following day for Bibaa.
The IOPC investigation found that the inspector closed the police logs after receiving information about the sisters’ possible whereabouts from a family member. This information suggested she was not overly concerned about them and would call back in the morning if needed. The inspector believed the information provided was a justifiable explanation for the sisters’ disappearance.
However, this information had been inaccurately recorded on the police log by the communications supervisor.
The closure of the police logs did not close the missing persons report at that time created for Nicole, but did prevent the deployment of officers to Nicole’s home. The inspector subsequently did not properly progress missing persons enquiries for Nicola or Bibaa.
The inspector told the investigation that this had been one of the most challenging shifts of his career with 16 missing persons reports open and the North West Command Unit under capacity by almost 50 per cent during the Covid pandemic.
A call handler, also a member of police staff, based at Met Command and Control at Hendon, will receive ‘management action’ for the conversation they had and their “dismissive” response when a friend of one of the sisters called police. This means they will have a performance discussion with their line manager around the learning from this matter.
The IOPC investigation considered whether the police response was affected by the sisters’ ethnicity. After a comprehensive examination of police records, no evidence was found of stereotyping or biased assumptions based on the sisters’ race or where they lived.
The IOPC also recommended we review the processes and separate computer systems used by different call handlers, and consider whether further training should be provided to ensure all fully understand how systems operate that they might not use as frequently.
We have already addressed this recommendation by producing an enhanced training information pack for all call operators.
We understand the IOPC are considering further recommendations; these considerations are ongoing.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, Mina Smallman, the victims' mother rejected the statement and said said that she fel there was still a racist element in how the case was managed. See LINK
Mina Smallman, mother of murdered sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, herself a former priest and teacher, spoke truth to power as an activist at yesterday's vigil atop Barn Hill in Wembley. The vigil was organised by Reclaim These Streets.
In a section of her speech she castigated the media for their lack of coverage of the murders at the beginning and went on to say how the interviews she gave subsequently were reduced to a minute or two or just a paragraph.
In the light of this I have published a video of her full speech above. The sound quality is not good as I was at the back of the 600 strong crowd but please perservere - it is an electrifying speech.
Barry Gardiner MP (who led the crowd in the singing of Amazing Grace), Cllr Shafique Choudhary; Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, David Lammy MP and Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council. Dawn Butler MP made a heartfelt speech. Other councillors were in the crowd.
Much of the focus was on future generations - a child in the audience clutches an electronic candle
Following the controversial tactics at Clapham, a vigil also organised by Reclaim These Streets, police tactics were low key and officers told me they had been instructed to keep well away from the crowd. They mainly assisted people in getting safely out of the park after the event.
From #RECLAIM THESE STREETS
BBC Radio 4 Today interviews Mina Smallman, mother of Noicole and Bibaa (apologies for those who tried to view the earlier video I embedded - access was blocked) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09bxm41
I am so glad the BBC carried this interview this morning - it needed saying. The discrepancy has been in many of our minds locally and caused local residents to erect a memorial banner last week.
Banner at one of the entrances to Fryent Country Park last week
From the BBC website LINK
Mina Smallman, the mother of two women found dead in north London, has expressed her sympathy for the family of Sarah Everard – and questioned why the deaths of her daughters received comparatively little attention at the time.
Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry were killed in a park in Wembley last June. Two officers have been arrested and suspended after allegations they took selfies with the bodies.
Asked why her case had not received the level of outrage as Sarah Everard, she said: “Other people have more kudos in this world than people of colour.”
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “Our thoughts remain with the families of Bibaa and Nicole following their unspeakable loss."
"As part of a wider investigation into various matters, the Independent Office for Police Conduct is considering the actions of police when Bibaa and Nicole were reported missing. This follows a referral from the MPS’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS). “
A man has been charged with the murders of Nicole and Bibaa.
Producer: Harry Farley
Video Journalist: Lorna Acquah
With the the current focus on the safety of women, local residents have remembered the tragic deaths of Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, murdered in Fryent Country Park last June.
The public are invited to place their own tributes at the Fryent Way gated entrance to the park which is opposite the main car park.
Women must be able to go about their daily lives free from the ever present threat of harassment and potential violence.
I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to progress this investigation. Our team is working hard to deliver a thorough and robust investigation of these deeply upsetting allegations.Frequently asked questions
Our thoughts remain with Nicole and Bibaa’s family and friends, and anyone else who may have been affected by their tragic deaths in such horrific circumstances. We continue to keep their family updated as our investigation progresses.
As this is an ongoing criminal investigation, linked to an ongoing police homicide investigation, we cannot provide further information at this time. However, we will publish further updates as soon as we can.
I would like to thank the local community for their support both with the investigation and the police activity at and around the scene. I know that colleagues from across the Met have been working tirelessly on this investigation. My officers will remain on patrol in the local area providing continued reassurance – please do stop and speak with them if you have any questions or concerns.
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| The house number may not be correct but entrance is on that bend and the hill straight ahead as you enter the park |
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| Nicole Smallman (left) and Bibaa Henry (right) |
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| Nicole (left) and Bibaa (right) |
"The greatest fear of any parent is that they will outlive their children. What makes our situation unique is that two adored sisters were murdered together on the same night. The grief we feel is palpable, our beautiful and talented daughters gone. Although there was a large age gap between them they shared a lot of the same interests. They were both very much interested in the Arts. Bibaa a hardworking professional was an exceptional Senior Social Worker and a passionate advocate for safeguarding vulnerable children and families. Before qualifying, and to earn some extra cash, she would transport disabled children to their activities. At her side in a car seat she would have our granddaughter who was only a couple of months old. Her passengers loved them both, she knew all their names and Bibaa would have them singing as they drove along.
"Bibaa loved her family and she was proud of her parents’ gifts and talents. Bibaa’s father, Herman having been a former ABA Featherweight Champion and Business Man setting up his own Building Contracting Company. As her mother, she admired my moving from office agency work to training to be a teacher and then to train later for the Priesthood. Bibaa was just barely five foot but she had the heart of a lion and a smile that would put Blackpool illuminations to shame.
"Nicole being the youngest of three sisters was a joy from the moment she entered this world. Nicole saw beauty in everything; she had a very calm and positive attitude towards most things in life. She was a strong advocate for Humanitarian causes and saving our planet. Her father Christopher and I would laugh together agreeing Nicole was a child of the 60s. She was an amazing Photographer, Actor and Singer. Her speaking voice was silky smooth. Her voice teacher at school had said she should do radio or TV presenting. Friends and family all agree she was beautiful both inside and out. Nicole was incredibly laidback and very approachable. Nowadays we would be referred to as a ‘Blended Family’ but that is not how we see ourselves. It is not something we would be happy to be said of us. Bibaa and Nicole were sisters whose untimely deaths we will spend the rest of our lives trying to come to terms with.
"The tributes for our girls keep flooding in; it has been comforting, heart-breaking and at times overwhelming. Faith and prayer is keeping us going. I’m not sure how we’d get through this without it. 'The bond that links your true family is not one blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.’ Richard Bach.
"The pain we feel as a family is so deep no words can express how we are feeling. This has had a devastating impact on our lives and each day gets worse to think our daughters, Bibaa and Nicole, are not with us and that they have been brutally killed by someone.
"We are appealing to anyone who may have seen, heard, or know something to please contact the police who are investigating what has happened to our daughters, Bibaa and Nicole.”
Detectives have today released two photographs taken by the victims prior to the murders which they believe could assist with appeals; as their determined efforts to identify the attacker – now confirmed to be male - continue."
“Following our most recent appeal we received over 100 calls from members of the public who provided information which my officers are now in the process of going through. We are very thankful for this response, and want it to continue. Extensive searches are ongoing at the scene and we are discovering more evidence all the time. Any motive for the murders remains unknown, and we are exploring all possibilities.
“The meticulous work carried out by our specialist search teams has led to the recovery of a number of items belonging to both Nicole and Bibaa. This includes both of their mobile phones, which were found in a pond some distance from where they were discovered.
“We already knew that Nicole and Bibaa had been alone in the park from about 00:30hrs on Saturday, 6 June. I can now confirm that the last contact they are believed to have had with family and friends was at 01:05hrs. They were in good spirits and taking selfie pictures, listening to music and dancing with fairy lights until at least 01:13hrs. Those lights created a distinctive pattern, as the two images we are releasing today show. This in itself may have been noticeable to local residents and other users of the park. Did you see the lights at the time and if so can you remember where you were and whether you saw anything suspicious? Calls to the victims at around 02:30hrs went unanswered.”
“We have seized a considerable amount of CCTV from around the perimeter of the park and in surrounding roads, however if you have CCTV or dash cam footage and live locally or were out in the area and have not been contacted I urge you to get in touch.”
- The suspect received a significant injury/injuries during the incident. Have you noticed a loved one, neighbour, colleague, friend or acquaintance with a significant unexplained injury, to their hands in particular?DCI Harding continued:
- It is believed the suspect left the park via the Valley Drive entrance. Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in that vicinity during the evening of Friday into early hours of Saturday? You may even have noticed someone who was injured.
- It’s possible members of the public may have stumbled upon items of property, but not realised the significance of them. If you did, you may well have information that could assist us hugely. No matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact us.
“The victims were much loved sisters who were very close despite their age gap. They were surrounded by friends and family and it’s unimaginable what they are going through. For their sake and the sake of the wider community we need to identify and apprehend the suspect as soon as possible. And we need help from the public to do that. So please do contact us with any information you may have which could assist, no matter how small. Someone out there knows something. I would ask them to look into their conscience and question their protection of an individual who has robbed a family of two beloved women.”Police were called to Fryent Country Park off Slough Lane at 13:08hrs on Sunday, 7 June to a report of two women found unresponsive.
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| Tributes to Nicole and Bibaa at the park gate in Fryent Way
People are being urged via social media postings, to put a candle in their window tonight, 2 weeks after the birthday party in the park:
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