Union leaders have highlighted "shocking" figures showing an increase in thefts on London Underground as they step up a campaign against job cuts.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union say more rather than fewer staff are needed on the Tube after figures showed there were 1,387 reported incidents of theft in the three months to September, compared with 1,126 in the previous quarter.

Reported incidents of public disorder increased by 230%, said the RMT, which earlier this week revealed plans to cut up to 1,400 jobs at Transport for London and on the Tube.

General Secretary Mick Cash said: "These are truly shocking figures. RMT has warned for years that cuts to staff would turn London Underground into a thugs' and criminals' paradise and our warnings have now come home to roost with a vengeance.

"The job cuts must be halted and reversed."

Siwan Hayward, TFL's head of transport policing, said: "London's transport network is a safe, low crime environment.

"The crime rate has been halved since 2005-06, and very few of the 15 million customers who travel on our services will experience or witness a crime.

"We have seen an increase in crime in the second quarter of 2017/2018, similar to other parts of the country, and are working with the police to address this.

Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater declined an England call-up, manager Gareth Southgate said.

Drinkwater, who signed for The Blues from Leicester but has only made one appearance because of a thigh injury, is lacking fitness.

"I spoke to Danny earlier in the week but he feels he is not fit enough to play," Southgate added.

Image source, Getty Images

After signing from Leicester in August, Drinkwater only made his Blues debut in late October because of a thigh injury.

"I spoke to Danny earlier in the week but he feels he is not fit enough to play," Southgate said.

Image source, Metropolitan Police

Police trying to identify a man who died at a bus stop more than 10 years ago have released an e-fit in the hope that a family member or friend recognises him.

Police found the man collapsed at a bus stop on Regent Street at 11.00 GMT on 16 December 2006.

He was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Metropolitan Police Officer Luke Flint said: "This is a very sad case in which not only has a man lost his life close to Christmas, but it is still possible that his family do not know that he has died.”

He was described as being aged 50 to 60, of a slim build with grey hair and approximately 5ft 4in (1.63m) tall.

Image source, Metropolitan Police Handout

Four men have been charged with the murder of a 31-year-old man who was stabbed after leaving a boxing event in Bethnal Green.

Luther Edwards, 31, was attacked outside York Hall in July 2016.

A post-mortem examination found the father-of-two had died from a single stab wound to the heart.

Jerome Osbourne, 33, Marlon Thomas, 27, Christopher O'Sullivan, 31, and James Robinson, 29, will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court later.

A cat belonging to Banbury MP Victoria Prentis has been named winner of Purr Minister 2017, an award given out to the "most fabulous feline in Westminster" by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Midnight won the accolade after receiving 49% of a public vote.

The "thrilled" MP said Midnight's "manifursto" included a top priority of "finding good homes for all the rescue cats currently living in temporary accommodation".

Midnight is not the only award-winning pet belonging to an Oxfordshire politician. Last year Wantage MP Ed Vaizey's hamster was runner up in the Parliamentary Pet of the Year competition, external.

Chelsea Ladies produce a dominant display in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Rosengard.

Image source, Jonas family

Two teenagers have been charged with murdering a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed in a park.

Michael Jonas was attacked in Betts Park, Penge, south-east London, on 2 November.

Officers found the teenager with multiple stab wounds and he was pronounced dead at the scene within an hour.

The two boys, aged 17 and 16, will appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court later.

Workers for three rail operators are continuing their 48-hour strike action.

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members working for Southern, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway walked out on Wednesday.

The union is in dispute over driver-only operated (DOO) trains, also known as driver-controlled operated (DCO).

RMT staff on Merseyrail and Northern also staged a 24-hour walkout as part of Wednesday's strike action, which saw delays and disruption for passengers.

The 21-year-old victim was found in North Woolwich and died of his injuries in hospital.

Image source, Croydon Council

Two memorials in honour of the victims of the Croydon tram derailment will be unveiled on the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Seven people died when the commuter tram overturned on 9 November 2016.

A stone plinth has been erected near the crash site at Sandilands Junction, and a new communal area built in New Addington.

Tony Newman, leader of the council, said the ceremony "gives all those affected a chance to think back".

BBC London News

Sara Orchard has this morning's top stories for the capital.

BBC Weather

It will be mostly cloudy through the morning with outbreaks of rain. This will be slow to clear, although some afternoon sunny spells may develop during the afternoon.

Winds will be brisk at first, but ease through the day.

Maximum temperature: 11C (52F)

Image source, PA

The chimes of Big Ben will ring out around Westminster for the first time in almost three months.

But politicians and tourists in the area have been advised not to set their watches by the famous bongs as parliamentary authorities expect "slight inaccuracies" following its 11-week break for essential conservation work.

After the resumption of chimes at 09:00, Palace of Westminster clockmakers will work through the day adjusting the bells to ensure they strike at exactly the right time for Armistice Day commemorations at the 11th hour of 11 November, followed by Remembrance Sunday events the following day.

The bells will be disconnected after ringing the hour at 13:00 on Sunday 12 November.

BBC London Travel
BBC Radio London Travel

There are reduced services on South Western Railway in and out of Waterloo and on Southern trains today due to the RMT strike.

Minor delays are reported on the Central Line from Leytonstone to Epping and Hainault due to an earlier signal failure.

South Wimbledon underground station is closed to Northern line services due to faulty escalators. Tickets are being accepted on local buses.

TfL rail services running between Liverpool Street and Shenfield have been disrupted due to a broken down train.

For the latest travel updates follow @BBCTravelAlert, external

BBC London News

Good morning.

We'll be bringing you updates of all the latest news, sport, travel and weather in London until 18:00.

If you would like to get in touch, you can tweet, external, email or leave a message on our Facebook, external page.

Marilyn Logan says she has not been getting the promised financial support from Transport for London.

Michael Jonas was the 16th teenager to be stabbed to death in the capital this year.

Jonathan Dowley left the life of a banker behind and trained as a landscape gardener.

Former Manchester United boss David Moyes says he has a "point to prove" as he aims to "repair" his reputation at West Ham.