The year began with police investigating the death of 22-year-old pub worker Iuliana Tudos. Ms Tudos was found dead in Finsbury Park, near her north London home, at the end of December, having gone missing on Christmas Eve. Kasim Lewis, 31, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years. A crowdfunding page, which was created to pay for Ms Tudos’ funeral costs, reached its target of £4,000 in 11 hours.

A couple feared their home was haunted by a poltergeist after a series of unexplained incidents. Derek and Lucy, who asked for their surnames to be withheld, believed renovating their garden in Bowes Road, Enfield, disturbed the spirit world. Strange incidents – including their heavy birdbath being knocked over and a burnt match appearing on their coffee table – led the couple to fear evil spirits at work.

Teething problems with a new number plate recognition system at North Middlesex University Hospital led to family members visiting patients being given parking penalties. Three women visiting their elderly mothers were given fines collectively totalling £2,000. These fines were later cancelled by the hospital.

A property expert named Tottenham as the best place to invest in property in 2018. Portico London estate agents said that multi-million pound regeneration plans and proposed transport upgrades with Crossrail 2 created new property hotspots, encouraging more people to the area.