The Half Moon, a 16th-century Grade II listed pub in Kirdford, West Sussex, has temporarily closed its doors after staff reported facing verbal and physical abuse from customers. Owned by former model and television personality Jodie Kidd, the establishment announced a three-day closure from Monday through Wednesday, with plans to reopen on Thursday, September 25. The decision comes amid what the pub described as a recent spate of incidents where team members were subjected to unacceptable behavior.

In a statement posted on social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook, The Half Moon emphasized its commitment to creating a welcoming environment. "We've worked hard to create more than just a pub—we've built a home. A place for people to come together, enjoy good times, and make memories," the statement read. It expressed sadness over the abuse faced by staff in recent weeks, reminding patrons that behind the operation is a human team dedicated to their work.

The closure provides staff with what the pub called a "well-deserved short break" to "relax and recharge." Management highlighted the relentless nature of running an independent business, noting that the team works seven days a week driven by "passion, love, and integrity." They appealed for respect from customers, urging any complaints to be communicated in a "calm, constructive, and polite way" to maintain a positive community atmosphere.

The Half Moon has garnered praise in recent days, having been named one of the best celebrity-run pubs in the UK by food writer Tom Parker Bowles. In a Daily Mail article, he described it as "a proper pub—the sort you'd want to spend a few hours in," citing its historic features like stone floors, wooden beams, and a cozy fire. Kidd, who purchased the pub in 2017, has run it for eight years, earning accolades for maintaining its traditional charm while fostering a community-focused space.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."