Trust on the Line: Police and Journalists at Breaking Point.

Relationships between journalists and London-based police officers are at an all-time low. Officers are increasingly wary of reporters who turn up at crime scenes, while journalists continue to face barriers when trying to do their job.

The truth is, both professions are vital to the public interest — and both come with immense pressure. Policing remains one of the toughest, most demanding, and often thankless jobs within our communities. Officers face unprecedented levels of abuse and long, gruelling hours. Standing for hours outside a brutal murder scene is no easy task.

But the news doesn’t stop. Journalists and photographers have a duty to report accurately, fairly, and with respect in what happens in their communities.

Last weekend, Havering saw two murders in just two days. Roads in Rainham were cordoned off as detectives investigated. Residents and journalists were told the incident was a collision — information that later proved false. In reality, the area was being searched for a missing body. Drone footage submitted to our newsroom showed not a crash scene, but a wide-scale search operation.

Then came Sunday, and the devastating murder of a woman, stabbed to death in her own home.

No journalist enjoys turning up to such tragic scenes. No photographer wants to capture images that will bring pain to families. But sadly it is the news.

There’s a clear distinction between professional reporters doing their job and opportunists chasing clicks on social media. Those who sensationalise tragedy for likes have fuelled understandable resentment among officers. But journalists, real journalists- are not the enemy.

Respect must run both ways. Policing and journalism both serve the same public. And perhaps, with more communication and mutual understanding, trust can be built.

A polite reminder that as all officers are not the same, all journalists are not the same either.

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