Raid on Café Diana in Kensington uncovers 45 tubs of ‘illegal' shisha tobacco
Dozens of tubs of suspected shisha tobacco were seized from a Princess Diana-themed cafe where she once took Princes William and Harry.
Trading standards officers found people smoking the substance in the basement area of the famous venue during a late-night raid on May 9.
The inspectors, who were working with the Metropolitan Police and Home Office, then seized around 45 unlabelled tubs from the rear of the area at Café Diana in Kensington, west London.
The seized goods are believed to contain illicit shisha tobacco, which is often counterfeit or smuggled without paying duties or taxes, according to Kensington and Chelsea Council.
The cafe in Wellington Terrace, near Kensington Palace, was a haunt of Princess Diana's, whose visits included taking William and Harry in for a glass of orange juice in 1989.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for environment and planning said: 'Illicit tobacco sales not only damage consumer trust but also undercut law-abiding businesses.
'Our officers work hard to educate businesses and ensure they comply with the law for a fair playing field. More Trending
This joint operation reflects our commitment to protect our communities and work towards becoming a safer and fairer borough.'
A full investigation and formal action will be taken by the trading standards team against the business for breaching the Health Act and tobacco-related legislation, according to the council.
Earlier this year, the team successfully prosecuted two companies in South Kensington for flouting smoking regulations and supplying shisha products without any health warnings.
Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact josh.layton@metro.co.uk
MORE: Brockwell Park festival organisers give major update over future events
MORE: Man says cafe staff refused to serve him because of his face tumours
MORE: Man, 26, dies after being stabbed during 'altercation' in north west London
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Harrowing moment hiker saw friend 'freefall 65ft to death' on dangerous mountain
Maria Eftimova, 28, was out hiking in the Welsh mountains with pals when she suffered the fatal fall on the 3,000ft high Tryfan mountain in Wales' Snowdonia National Park A hiker has told of the heart-stopping moment he watched his friend fall 65ft down a notorious mountain peak to her death. Maria Eftimova, 28, was out hiking in the Welsh mountains with pals and suffered the fatal fall on the 3,000ft high Tryfan mountain in the Snowdonia National Park. At an inquest into her death, a friend who was with her at the time described the harrowing moment Maria was "in freefall", and had passed over him as she fell from the popular but dangerous scrambling route. The former University of Salford student died of severe head injuries on February 22 this year, with a coroner ruling that her death was accidental. Maria's friend Harry Jones told the inquest how they were a group of seven hikers out of 20 who had decided to take a more challenging route to the summit of Tryfan, along with fellow hiker Neil Oakes. Neil had led the hikers in the front, followed by Maria and finally Harry, with the group proceeding methodically up the mountain, North Wales Live reports. "We travelled in single file, moving from ledge to ledge, once the person in front had vacated it," Harry said. "I could see on one particular ledge Maria stopped in order to get a handhold to pull herself up. I was six feet below her, to the left. "She swung her right leg up to pull herself up. I asked 'Got it well?' and she said 'I think so'." Harry then saw Maria "flying over me", adding he "completely froze". Neil was above, and looked away as he saw her falling so he wouldn't see the impact. He said: "I turned and saw Ms Eftimova tumbling through the air below me. She was already in freefall. I knew there was going to be an impact on the rocky outcrop below so I turned away for a split second. "I was shouting 'No, no, no, no.' When I turned back she was on the ledge below. I knew that it was serious. (Another hiker above) said 'What?" and I said 'She's gone. She's fallen'. I was in shock." Maria was helped onto a more secure ledge by other hikers, who then called 999 as one administered CPR until emergency services arrived. A Mountain Rescue Team and helicopter arrived to take Maria to OVMRT base - but she tragically succumbed to her injuries and passed away. Consultant histopathologist Dr Muhammad Zain Mehdi carried out a post-mortem examination and concluded Maria died from a laceration to the brain, due to a fractured skull due to a fall. Her dad Rosen Eftimov paid tribute to his daughter, saying that she had "snowboarded intensely" as well as running marathons and surfing. She also trained in intensive swimming, practised pole dancing, and had even undertaken a glacier climbing course in Norway. Kate Robertson, senior coroner for north west Wales, concluded Maria's death was accidental. The inquest heard she was born in Sofia in Bulgaria and was a British citizen. She had graduated from the University of Salford and lived in St Helens. Senior coroner Ms Robertson said: "It seems that Maria was scrambling with others when she has unintentionally and unexpectedly fallen and during the course of that fall she has sustained the injuries which have sadly led to her death." Ms Robertson passed on her sincere condolences to her family, who were on a link and had a Bulgarian interpreter, and friends for the death of Ms Eftimova whom she described as "bright and conscientious". Tributes were paid online to Maria via a JustGiving fundraiser launched to raise £15,000 to bring her back to her family in Bulgaria. In a post on the fundraiser, which has raised almost £20,000, organiser Victoria Critchley said: "Maria was an ambitious, bright and cherished 28-year-old, whose vibrant personality, energy and aura touched and uplifted all around her. She had a passion for engineering, having studied civil engineering at the University of Salford and a love for extreme sports. "Her biggest passion being snowboarding, which she was super excited for and looking forward to doing again on her upcoming trip to Austria. She had an insatiable thirst for life and exploring our world's beauty. Tragically, she was taken from her family far far far too soon!"
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Daily Record
Two women die in horror crash as pensioner fights for life in hospital
A 32-year-old driver and a 77-year-old passenger have died in a two-car smash on a busy Scots road. Two women have died in a horror crash on a busy Scots road, as another pensioner battles for his life in hospital. Emergency crews rushed to the A98 near Enzie, Buckie, at around 12.30pm yesterday, Tuesday June 10, after receiving a report of a collision involving a Vauxhall Insignia and a Peugeot 2008. Upon attendance the 32-year-old female driver of the Vauxhall and the 77-year-old female passenger of the Peugeot were pronounced dead at the scene. The 77-year-old male driver of the Peugeot was taken by air ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where hospital staff describe his condition as serious but stable. Sergeant Dave Cooper from the Road Policing Unit in Elgin said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two women who died. 'An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing and we would appeal for anyone who witnessed the crash who has not already spoken to officers, or those who have any dashcam footage that may capture either vehicle prior to the collision, to please come forward. 'If you can assist the investigation, please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 1354 of 10 June.' Yesterday, in a separate incident, we reported that a driver had died nearly a month after he was involved in a three-vehicle crash. William John Horne passed away on Sunday June 8, as the police probe into the crash continues. The 67-year-old was driving a Volkswagen Transporter van on Tuesday May 13, which was involved in a crash with a white Kia Ceed and a red Seat Alhambra at around 3.30pm. The collision took place on the A982 South Road at the Aberdeenshire town of Peterhead. He was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with serious injuries. On Tuesday, some weeks later, Police Scotland confirmed he had passed away and issued a statement from his devastated family. It said: " Our family is utterly heartbroken by the tragic loss of William John Horne. We want to give our sincere thanks to the first responder, police, paramedics and all the wonderful staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary ICU for their care and attention to William." The force said the occupants of the other vehicles received treatment for non-serious injuries. Officers are still appealing to the public for witnesses to come forward. Constable John Grant, of the North East Road Policing unit, said: "Our thoughts are with William's family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time. " Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and anyone with information who can assist and has not already spoken to officers is asked to get in touch." Anyone who can help Police Scotland with the investigation into the crash is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 2279 of Tuesday, 13 May, 2025. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Train passenger plea issued in search for man who vanished a month ago
Train passenger plea issued in search for man who vanished a month ago Police believe William Shine may have travelled to Machynlleth on May 9 A renewed appeal has been issued concerning missing man William Shine from Birmingham. It is believed he travelled to mid Wales in May (Image: West Midlands Police ) A renewed appeal has been made for a man who has been missing for more than a month who police believe may have travelled to a Welsh town. William Shine, from Birmingham, was last seen on May 9 in Harborne and officers from West Midlands Police have been working to find him since. Now, the 41-year-old's family have appealed to the public directly for help finding him. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here . In a statement, William's family said: 'We are really worried about William and we want to know that he is safe. "If you have any information that you think may help please do come forward. 'We just want to know that he is alright and for him to return home. Article continues below "William if you are out there and see this please just get in touch and let us know that you are ok.' West Midlands Police say that William left Birmingham on a train travelling in the direction of Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury. They believe he may have travelled to Wales and may have been seen at Machynlleth shortly before 1pm on May 9. Article continues below A spokesperson for the force said: 'We know William was seen on the train to Machynlleth and our officers want to hear from anyone who regularly uses the service and may have seen him on that day, especially between Barmouth and Pwllheli. "If you think you know where William went, or if you saw him during his journey, call 999 immediately quoting PID number 453910.' Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.
