New trends have been emerging with safety in mind, though some of them suggest a more aggressive culture or an apocalyptic future. For the rest of us, the Design Against Crime centre based out of Central St Martins is hard at work researching and devising gadgets to help protect your stuff and ease your mind while you’re out and about. One of the DAC’s more successful designs has been the M-shaped bike stands tested......

Eagle-eyed Londoners may have spotted an open-topped "battle bus" doing the rounds recently, Aretha Franklin's "Respect" blaring out and a hirsute gentleman, familiar to reality TV fans and US Congressmen alike, bopping away atop it with a megaphone and a cheeky smile. Yes, it's is none other than George Galloway and his Respect chums on maneuvers. Despite an acrimonious row between Galloway and the pro-SWP goons last year over control of the party (prompting......

Looks like Paul Smith, a constable at Holborn police station, caught a case of reefer madness. He's been charged with 15 counts of cannabis theft -- from the station. While securing his stash from the evidence locker, the pothead policeman must have slipped up. Details haven't yet been released, but we hope he had a billy club bong, Snoop Dogg on his iPod and an inability to stifle his giggles every time someone said 420.......

Psst. Wanna to know about the bestest, most yummiest cupcakes in all of London? Of course you do. They’re at Bea's of Bloomsbury, a new (as in today’s the first day they’re open to the public) café at 44 Theobald’s Road offering “inspiring cuisine, artisan cakes and pastries and the finest teas and coffees.” Londonist got invited to a private tasting last week and were well chuffed to sample Bea’s delectable offerings. Delicious. Thank......

Londonist asks that most pressing of daily concerns: where to go on your lunch break? Edokko 50 Red Lion Street WC1R 4PF Nearest Tube: Holborn 0207 242 3490 12pm-2pm, 6pm-10pm (Monday-Saturday) Expect to Pay: £10+ for mains/set lunches (under £5 for ala carte items) Rating: 8 out of 10 We really wanted to give this Japanese restaurant an even higher rating than a solid “8” and perhaps if our expectations had been a little......