Women tell the Met 'Enough is Enough' as they march for justice for Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry

 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.

REMINDER: Tuesday June 7th March on the Met from Fryent Country Park to remember Bibaa Henry & Nicole Smallman

 

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.

WHEN

June 07, 2022 at 12:30pm - 5pm

WHERE

Barn Hill Pond, Fryent Country Park
Wembley
London HA9 9LN
United Kingdom
Google map and directions

 

LINK TO SIGN UP 

March on the Met to remember Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman - June 7th from Fryent Country Park

 

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.

WHEN

June 07, 2022 at 12:30pm - 5pm

WHERE

Barn Hill Pond, Fryent Country Park
Barn Hill Pond Fryent Country Park
Wembley
London HA9 9LN
United Kingdom
Google map and directions

 

LINK TO SIGN UP 

Police officers who shared picture of the bodies of Nicole and Bibaa at Fryent Country Park crime scene jailed

 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.

Police officers who shared pictures of the bodies of murdered sisters to be sentenced on Monday

 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. 

Cressida Dick: Response on Nicole and Bibaa was 'below standard' and 'compounded the distress' of family and friends

 

 

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

Black Women's Lives Matter - Mina Smallman speaks out at Fryent vigil

 

 

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.

Vigil for Bibaa Henry & Nicole Smallman Tuesday 7pm-8pm Fryent Country Park

 

 

 

From #RECLAIM THESE STREETS

On August 3rd, please join us in remembering the lives of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman surrounded by the people they loved, and to light a candle for all the women threatened on our streets and lost to male violence. 

 

Just over a year ago, these two sisters were taken away from their loved ones - but as their mother Mina Smallman says, they should not simply be remembered as victims. While nothing can bring them back, we hope their lives can make a change in the way women are viewed, and black women in particular.

 

On what would have been Nicole's 29th birthday, we will gather at Barn Hill Pond, Fryent Country Park at 7pm to hold a moment's silence at 7.30. 

 

For those of you unable to travel to Fryent Park, we would love to help you organise your own vigil or you can join us in spirit by lighting a candle on your doorstep.

 

 

Vigil for Bibaa Henry amd Nicole Smallman, Barn Hill pond, Tuesday August 3rd 7pm

 

Mina Smallman reflects on her daughters' murders in Fryent Country Park in the light of the reaction to Sarah Everard's murder

 

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

Public invited to add their tributes to memorial for Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry at Fryent Country Park

 

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.

 

 

Investigators' update on allegations of police officers' inappropriate photographing of bodies in Fryent murder case

 
An update on what we have been doing 

It is important to us that the local community know what work we have been doing and how we can help you. Please share this update via email or in newsletters with anyone interested in our work and what we have been doing. 

Update on Wembley investigations 

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is continuing to make good progress in its criminal investigation into allegations that inappropriate photographs were taken at a homicide crime scene in Wembley in June.

Two Metropolitan Police constables were arrested by IOPC investigators on Monday 22 June and have been released under investigation to a later date pending further enquiries.

Separately, the IOPC is also making good progress with its investigation into the police response to a number of calls made to them by the family and friends of Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry.
Both investigations are also examining whether the officers’ actions were motivated or influenced by race discrimination.

IOPC Director for London Sal Naseem said:

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.

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. 

Frequently asked questions 

What progress have you made with the investigation?
Both investigations are progressing well, and we are assessing a great deal of evidence. However , as it is a sensitive investigation, we cannot give further details.

How long do you think the investigation will take?
Our priority is to ensure this is a thorough, robust and independent investigation. It is not possible to put a timeframe on this.

How did the IOPC become aware of the photos?
We initially received a referral from the Metropolitan Police Service.

What type of evidence will you look at?
Unfortunately, we cannot comment on what evidence is being looked at. However, our investigations will look at lines of enquiry including police records, witness statements, evidence from the scene and other available evidence which may help.

Can you confirm there were selfies taken by the officers? Do you know who the officers sent the photos to?
Due to the ongoing investigation we cannot comment or provide any details as to the nature of the photos.

What has happened to the police officers concerned?
Two Metropolitan Police constables were arrested by IOPC investigators on Monday 22 June and have been released under investigation to a later date pending further enquiries. The MPS have suspended them from their positions.

Are the officers suspended on full pay? Can the IOPC sack a police officer?
These are both matters for the MPS as the employers of the police officers involved.

Will the officers be charged?
When the IOPC have concluded the investigation, we will decide whether to refer the evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS will then decide whether to bring charges against the officers.

How are you keeping communities informed?
We have held three update meetings with key stakeholders from Brent and expect to meet with them again soon. These key stakeholders will be requested to share this information with relevant contacts and networks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Together with other community and council members, Gill Close Chair of Brent Safer Neighbourhood Board has been attending online meetings with the IOPC Director for London and the IOPC lead officer for the investigations where we have been able to hear updates on IOPC activities, convey community concerns and ask questions.

Councillor Tom Miller, the cabinet lead for community safety, has also attended these meetings. Two other safer neighbourhood board members, Roy Croasdaile and Khalid Afrah, also attended the first meeting

A teenager has been charged with the murder of sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman in Kingsbury

From OWL Messaging, Neighbourhood Watch

Danyal Hussein, 18  of Guy Barnett Grove, SE3 will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, 2 July) charged with: the murder of Bibaa Henry; the murder of Nicole Smallman; possession of an offensive weapon.

Hussein was arrested at his home address in the early hours of Wednesday, 1 July and subsequently charged as above.

This follows an investigation by homicide detectives from Specialist Crime.

North West BCU Commander Roy Smith said:  

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.

Police were called to Fryent Park, off Slough Lane, at 13:08hrs on Sunday, 7 June to a report of two women found unresponsive. 

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene and they were pronounced dead at the scene. 

They were sisters, Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, who lived in Harrow and Brent respectively. 

Enquiries established that they died in the early hours of Saturday, 6 June.

A post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday, 9 June gave the cause of death for both women as stab wounds”.

Tributes paid to Bibaa and Nicole as Fryent Country Park is reclaimed by the community

It was windy on top of Gotsford Hill today so sound quality leaves a lot to be desired

The community came together today at a Memorial Service on Gotsford Hill organised by Holy Innocents Church, Kingsbury for Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry.

It was strange to be able to walk through the park for the first time since the murders. The meadows were golden, ripened by the sun, and meadow brown butterflies flew up ahead of me.  It was heart warming to see a cycling couple with their young child relaxing under one of the massive oak trees.

I could see the crowd at the top of the hill in the distance and then as I got closer there were signs of the police search with painted numbers on the ground as various points.  Even closer the hedgerows had been hacked away by the search teams and lined the edge of the meadows.

From the summit you could see lines of people, singly and in couples and groups, some with their dogs, climbing up the many paths to the top of the hill and once there exchanging subdued greetings.

I am no longer religious but I know people have been crying out for the opportunity to come together, despite lockdown, to come together and affirm community and their love for the park, but most importantly to stand united against the dreadful events that has taken place there so very recently. 

BREAKING: Arrest made in Fryent double murder investigation

From the Metropolitan Police


Detectives investigating the murders of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman in Wembley have arrested a man overnight.

The 18-year-old was arrested at an address in south London on suspicion of both murders. He was taken into custody where he remains.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, who is leading the investigation at Specialist Crime, said:

“This investigation into the awful death of two sisters is of course a priority for the MPS and my officers have been working around the clock to identify the person responsible.

“Given the significance of this development, we visited the family in person today to inform them of the arrest. Our thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time.

“A team of forensic officers have been a constant presence at the park over the last few weeks carrying out meticulous fingertip searches at what is a vast and complex crime scene. Whilst that work has now concluded, smaller searches in outer areas of the park will continue. To date officers have recovered more than 1,000 exhibits – including property belonging to both Nicole and Bibaa, collected hours of CCTV and visited hundreds of homes and businesses. And those enquiries remain ongoing.

“I would continue to appeal to the public to come forward with any information they feel may be relevant to our investigation.”

Statement ends 

The statement was released just 2 hours before an open air memorial service is due to take place on Gotfords Hill, Fryent Country Park (1pm)

Outdoor Memorial Service for Nicole and Bibaa tomorrow in Fryent Country Park at 1pm

From Holy Innocents Church, Kingsbury

A short service for the public to remember and honour Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, and to bless Fryent Park. will be held on the view point at Gotfords Hill, Fryent Country Park tomorrow at 1pm.

A Christian service led by the Bishop of Willesden and the Vicar of Holy Innocents Kingsbury, with the Mayor of Brent, will be open to everyone.

If the mobile phone signal works it will be shown live on Holy Innocents' facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Holy.Innocents.Church.Kingsbury 

 
Let's spread out through the area to bless it with our presence. Please maintain 2m distance between households, and stay in groups of 6 or fewer.

If you can, bring or wear a flower to show others why you are there (but don't leave any plastic wrapping in the park.) 

Note Gotfords Hill is the highest point on that side of the park and can be approached from an entrance between houses at Valley Drive, Kingsbury, or from the east side of Fryent Way through the fields.

The house number may not be correct but entrance is on that bend and the hill straight ahead as you enter the park

Petition for formal criminal charges over alleged police photographing of Fryent murder victims

The family of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman have launched a petition calling for criminal charges against the police officers involved in the alleged sharing of photographs of the women's bodies. The petition has been set up by Jacqueline Henry.

THE PETITION

Formal criminal charges should be brought against the two Metropolitan police officers who allegedly took and distributed photographs of the two Fryent Country Park murder victims, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman

As a family we were assured that every respect would be shown to our beloved girls, and this disgraceful breach of their duty cannot be punished with just a disciplinary or the loss of a job.
These police officers have allegedly fallen woefully short of the high standards of integrity and behaviour that the public should be able to expect from the police service. They should face formal criminal charges of Misconduct in Public Office and under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

It is an offence for a police officer to exercise power or privileges improperly. Distributing photographic material of murder victims outside of the confidentiality of the formal murder investigation is a clear abuse of power amounting to criminal misconduct.

The family are struggling to come to terms with the loss of the two beautiful bright lights  that have been taken from us, and we have to pray and believe that we will receive justice for their murders.
But the alleged despicable behaviour of two metropolitan police officers whose only role was to ensure that the girls came to no further harm broke every rule of common decency, that is why I am asking you to sign this petition to ensure that these officers are never given an opportunity to disrespect anyone ever again in the way that they have our two girls.

Thank you

We love you girls

#BibaaHenry #NicoleSmallman #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #Bibaa&Nicole

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or 101 or tweet @MetCC, quoting CAD 3160/7Jun. Anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800555111

SIGN HERE

Fryent murders, Mina Smallman speaks out: 'Those police officers dehumanised our children'

The PM news programme on BBC Radio 4 this afternoon stopped me in my tracks when Mina Smallman, the mother of sisters Nicole Smallman and Bibba Henry, spoke powerfully to Martin Bashir about the allegation that two police officers took selfies with the women's bodies when they were supposed to be protecting the crime scene in Fryent Country Park.  She also questioned the 36 hour delay in the police launching a hunt for the two women when they were reported missing.

She said:

Those police officers dehumanised our children. They were nothing to them and what's worse they sent [the photographs] on to members of the public.

This has taken our grief to another level.  If ever we needed to understand that institutional racism within the police force, and other institutions, the Church of England, education..If ever we need an example of how toxic it has become: the police officers felt so safe, so untouchable, that they felt they could take photographs of dead black girls and send them on.

The full 8 minute interview is on BBC Sounds here: 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08j49rb

Channel 4 Report  including Dawn Butler MP (Labour, Brent Central) Interview