Mayor says device to assess bruising to darker skin shows police have changed
The devices, known as Project Archway, allow officers to better assess victims' injuries, particularly on darker skin, by making it easier to photograph and visualise bruising.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley showed the new technology to Sir Sadiq Khan (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
The mayor was shown the new technology on Monday and spoke with Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and officers who are piloting the devices.
The handheld device is the first of its kind to be developed and uses a technique called cross-polarisation to make injuries clearer that may not appear to the naked eye.
Of 33 uses during a pilot in south London, 45% have resulted in charges, with several others under investigation, the Met Police said.
The device has undergone ethical scrutiny and wide consultation, including input from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Black Police Association, and the Met Ethics Board. Officers are specially trained prior to use and can only use the device with full consent from victims.
Alongside the force's V100 programme, which targets the most dangerous offenders and has already resulted in 129 convictions and 154 serious charges, the technology is part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, following the publication of its three-year progress report on Tuesday.
Sir Sadiq told the PA news agency that police were responding to the concerns of victims of colour.
He said: 'I completely understand why ethnic minority and women Londoners have had less confidence in the police service and one of the missions of the police service with my support – and challenge – is to make sure we address the concerns that those Londoners have.
'I think what today shows is just how much the police has changed, and is responding to a legitimate concern raised by victims and survivors, particularly ethnic minority victims and survivors.'
Sir Sadiq added: 'It's really important to acknowledge the progress made. Similarly, the response last week from the Met Police Service and the commissioner to the hearing into Child Q is significant; a recognition of the systemic issues last week from the police service. That wouldn't have been the case a few years ago.'
Two Metropolitan Police officers were sacked last week after they were found to have committed gross misconduct during the 'disproportionate' strip search of a 15-year-old black girl at school, who was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis.
Commander Kevin Southworth said while the officers involved did not act correctly, there were organisational failings with training around strip-searches said to be 'inadequate' and oversight of the power 'severely lacking'.
The device, known as Project Archway, allows officers to better assess victims' injuries in the ongoing fight against violence towards women and girls (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Sir Sadiq said that while impressive, the new technology and work to help victims of colour did not been there was not more work to be done.
Sir Sadiq said: 'It's not mission accomplished. Neither myself nor the commissioner are complacent about the need for further reform, about the need for further work, about the need to win over those Londoners who still aren't sure about the Met Police Service.'
He called for work to tackle misogyny to begin in schools and for it to be classed as a hate crime by Parliament.
Sir Sadiq added: 'We need to recognise that ending the violence against women and girls, ending misogyny, can't start and stop with the police. It needs a whole society approach. It's really important that employers understand the concerns the female staff have, but also pubs, bars, music venues, music festivals need to be safe for women and girls. There's responsibility for us as men to provide allyship to women and girls.
'There is a role for the criminal justice system to do far better. It can't be right in 2025 in one of the most progressive countries in the world, if you're a woman or a girl, you're scared to go out.'
Sir Mark said the force was improving its response to victims of violence against women and girls.
He told the PA news agency: 'This new technology is just one example of how we're day-by-day improving our response to victims of violence against women and girls.
'A very basic requirement is to be able to get great evidence of an assault, that might be a bruise or a scratch.
'It's not always easy to photograph it. It depends on the light, depends on a whole range of factors. It also sometimes depends on the colour of skin – darker skin sometimes showing bruising less readily.
'Recognising this problem, our forensic experts have designed this special lighting technology.'
He said the tests had resulted in more prosecutions and that he wanted it to be expanded to the rest of London and in future, the country.
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Demonstrators detained by police during rival protests outside asylum hotel
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Chief Superintendent Clair Haynes, in charge of the policing operation, said: 'We have been in discussions with the organisers of both protests in recent days, building on the ongoing engagement between local officers, community groups and partners. 'We understand that there are strongly held views on all sides. 'Our officers will police without fear or favour, ensuring those exercising their right to protest can do so safely, but intervening at the first sign of actions that cross the line into criminality. 'We have used our powers under the Public Order Act to put conditions in place to prevent serious disorder and to minimise serious disruption to the lives of people and businesses in the local community. Protesters waved flags (PA) 'Those conditions identify two distinct protest areas where the protests must take place, meaning the groups will be separated but still within sight and sound of each other.' 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About 100 people attended a protest outside the Stanwell Hotel in Spelthorne, Surrey, on Friday evening, during which a packet of lit firelighters was thrown at police, Surrey Police said. A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and inquiries are ongoing to trace another suspect, the force said. Officers also arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and aggravated trespass following a protest at the same location on Thursday evening.
South Wales Guardian
42 minutes ago
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Demonstrators detained by police during rival protests outside asylum hotel
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42 minutes ago
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Demonstrators detained by police during rival protests outside asylum hotel
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on a protest and counter-protest outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington, north London. People believed to be migrants earlier watched the protests from the hotel's windows, with some waving and blowing kisses as demonstrators chanted and banged drums in the street below. A group of counter protesters formed up outside the conditioned area and marched to Central Street. Officers prevented opposing groups coming together but those in the junction remain in breach of the conditions. Warnings are being given. Those who don't move will be arrested. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 2, 2025 A man wearing an England football shirt was detained by police after a confrontation with officers. A group of anti-fascist protesters blocked a junction outside the hotel. Officers then pushed into the crowd to detain several people, dragging them out by their arms and legs. The group was then moved from the road and officers told them they were in breach of the conditions put on the demonstration, before forming a circle around the protesters. At about 3.30pm, police said there had been nine arrests, including seven on suspicion of breaching Public Order Act conditions. A protest and counter-protest is also taking place in Newcastle outside The New Bridge Hotel. The Metropolitan Police said the protest against the use of the Islington hotel was organised by local residents under the banner 'Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no'. A counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism and supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as other groups including Finsbury Park Mosque and Islington Labour Party, is also taking place. Police said the anti-asylum hotel protest had been 'endorsed by groups from outside the local community which is likely to increase the number of people attending'. Online groups that have voiced support for the protest include 'Patriots of Britain' and 'Together for the Children'. A counter-protester outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel said he wants migrants to 'feel safe' in the UK. Student Pat Prendergast, 21, said: 'I want people to feel safe. I think the (rival protesters) over there are making people feel unsafe. 'I want to stand up in solidarity and say that, you know, we want people here. 'We want migrants. We want asylum seekers.' A noticeably smaller group of protesters waved union flags and held banners outside the hotel. 'Get these scum off our streets', one man chanted in the direction of the hotel. A large group of masked protesters dressed in black chanting 'we are anti-fascist' appeared from a side street and marched towards the rival group outside the hotel. There were brief clashes before police rushed in to separate the two groups. The Metropolitan Police said plans were in place to 'respond to any protest activity in the vicinity of other hotels in London being used to accommodate asylum seekers'. Conditions on the anti-asylum hotel protest include that anyone participating must remain within King Charles Square and that the assembly must not begin before 1pm and must conclude by 4pm. Police said conditions on the counter-protest include that participants must remain in Lever Street, near the junction with Central Street, and that the assembly must not begin before 12pm and must conclude by 4pm. Chief Superintendent Clair Haynes, in charge of the policing operation, said: 'We have been in discussions with the organisers of both protests in recent days, building on the ongoing engagement between local officers, community groups and partners. 'We understand that there are strongly held views on all sides. 'Our officers will police without fear or favour, ensuring those exercising their right to protest can do so safely, but intervening at the first sign of actions that cross the line into criminality. 'We have used our powers under the Public Order Act to put conditions in place to prevent serious disorder and to minimise serious disruption to the lives of people and businesses in the local community. 'Those conditions identify two distinct protest areas where the protests must take place, meaning the groups will be separated but still within sight and sound of each other.' There are also posts online advertising a 'for our children, for our future' protest in Newcastle on Saturday outside The New Bridge Hotel. A 'stop the far right and fascists in Newcastle' counter-protest has been organised by Stand Up To Racism at the nearby Laing Art Gallery. In a statement, the organisers of the counter protest said: 'Yet again far-right and fascist thugs are intent on bringing their message of hate to Newcastle. They aim to build on years of Islamophobia, anti-migrant sentiment and scapegoating. 'In Epping and elsewhere recently we have already seen intimidation and violence aimed at refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. 'Newcastle, like the rest of the North East, has a well-earned reputation for unity in the face of those who seek to divide us. Whatever problems we face, racism and division are not the answer.' Northumbria Police have been approached for comment. About 100 people attended a protest outside the Stanwell Hotel in Spelthorne, Surrey, on Friday evening, during which a packet of lit firelighters was thrown at police, Surrey Police said. A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and inquiries are ongoing to trace another suspect, the force said. Officers also arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and aggravated trespass following a protest at the same location on Thursday evening.
