Police in Islington have arrested a man after a pattern of incidents in which a person was seen filming through the windows of women’s homes in the early hours. The investigation began in January and led to an arrest in late March, Metropolitan Police officers said.
How the incidents came to light
Officers were first alerted when a neighbour’s doorbell camera captured a man dressed in black and wearing a balaclava walking towards a property and holding a mobile phone up to the windows. On other occasions, residents spotted someone appearing to record from outside their homes and were able to confront the individual; those encounters were also captured on security cameras.
Police say that on 25 March a plainclothes officer observed the same behaviour at an address and arrested the suspect moments later outside the property. He was subsequently identified as Durkan. A search of his home resulted in the seizure of five additional mobile devices and a small camera for further examination.
What this means for local residents
The arrests follow a string of distressing events for the victims and their neighbours. Although detectives have made an arrest, the investigation remains active as officers analyse the devices and work to establish the full extent of the conduct.
- Investigation opened: January
- Further incidents reported: March
- Arrest and searches: 25 March; multiple devices seized
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| January | Investigation began after first reported incident |
| March | Additional reports and security-camera evidence; arrest made 25 March |
Detective work remains ongoing and the Met has indicated that officers are continuing forensic examination of the seized items. No further details about charges have been released at this stage.
Practical steps and support
Residents concerned about privacy and security may consider the following practical measures:
- Ensure external cameras and doorbell cams are angled to capture outside activity and are functioning correctly.
- Report suspicious behaviour to the police and preserve any footage from doorbell or CCTV cameras.
- If you feel unsafe, call 999 in an emergency or contact the Met via 101 for non-emergencies; consider speaking to local neighbourhood policing teams about prevention advice.
The community impact of incidents like this can be significant. While an arrest has been made, investigators are asking anyone with additional footage or information to come forward to assist enquiries.
