Other UK News In Brief

Online Directory Of Driving Instructors Launched

A free online service making it easy for learner drivers to find qualified instructors in their area has been launched today by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). ‘Find your nearest driving instructors’ is available on Directgov. It lists fully qualified driving instructors who have signed up to be listed, and allows users to search for instructors closest to them by typing in their postcode. Learners will also be able to see if an instructor has signed up to the voluntary code of practice and if they are committed to continuing their professional development. The voluntary code of practice sets out the professional standards and business ethics expected of those working in the industry. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: “This new service will make life easier for learner drivers and parents looking for qualified instructors in their area. I hope that this will allow people to make more informed choices about who they want to teach them to drive.” Once qualified, approved instructors are tested regularly by DSA to ensure they are delivering the required standard of instruction, and are subject to ongoing enhanced criminal record checks.

Murder Investigation Ongoing In Edgware

Police are continuing their investigations into a fatal stabbing on Saturday. A 27-year-old man was stabbed in the chest at an address in Watling Avenue, Edgware. The alarm was raised around 3.50am. London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance (by vehicle) attended but the man died at the scene. A post-mortem at Finchley Mortuary on Sunday gave cause of death as a stab wound. The man's identity has yet to be confirmed. An incident room has opened under Acting Detective Chief Inspector Sheila Stewart from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command. Detectives are still trying to trace a group of men seen in the area at the time of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room. There have been no arrests at present.

Witness To Robbery Sought

Detectives are keen to trace a member of public threatened by a man carrying out a robbery in Wood Green late at night on Sunday 3 July. Officers are appealing for information and witnesses following a robbery that took place between 23.50 hours on Sunday 3 July and 00.15 hours on Monday 4 July in High Road, north London, near to Earlham Grove. Around 23.50 hours on Sunday the victim, a 23 year-old man, came out of Wood Green tube station and was walking north up High Road. He was listening through headphones to music on his mobile phone when he was grabbed from behind and forced to the ground. The suspect held a knife to the victim's stomach and demanded he hand over his phone and money. During the course of the robbery, it is believed that the suspect threatened a passer by telling them to go away. This is the man police are attempting to trace. The suspect then forced the victim to hide in nearby bushes, out of sight of pedestrians and passing cars, while he left with the victim's property. It is believed that the suspect made off down Nightingale Road. The suspect is described as being a black man, aged about 20 years, 5ft 10" in height, wearing a dark top and baggy trousers. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers.

(BMcN)