Advertisement

Police officer shot dead by suspect held at south London station

The police officer was shot at the Croydon custody centre in south London (Google Streetview)
The police officer was shot at the Croydon custody centre in south London (Google Streetview)

A police officer has been shot dead by a suspect who was being detained in London.

The officer, who has not yet been named, was shot by a man being held in the Croydon custody centre shortly after 2am.

He was treated at the scene by his colleagues and paramedics before being taken to hospital, where he later died.

The suspect, a 23-year-old man, turned the gun on himself and was taken to hospital. He remains in a critical condition.

The Metropolitan Police said no police firearms were discharged during the incident on Friday.

Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which one of our colleagues has lost his life in the most tragic circumstances. My heart goes out to his family, direct colleagues and friends.

“We are currently supporting his family and also have a dedicated team providing support to the officers and those in the custody centre who witnessed the shooting.”

Dame Cressida said the killing would send “shockwaves and sadness” through the Metropolitan Police, which is Britain’s largest force, and its communities.

“Policing is a family, within London and nationally, and we will all deeply mourn our colleague,” she added.

“We are in the early stages of the investigation and are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and we will provide further updates when we have them.“

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for an investigation, which will be separate to the murder inquiry.

Steve Reed, the MP for Croydon North, called the shooting “truly horrific”, adding: “All of us in Croydon are in shock at this heartbreaking tragic news.”

Priti Patel, the home secretary, said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” and had offered support for the investigation.

“My thoughts today are with his family, friends and policing colleagues in London and across the country,” she added.

“This is a sad day for our country and another terrible reminder of how our police officers put themselves in danger each and every day to keep the rest of us safe.”

The policing minister, Kit Malthouse, said his thoughts were with the officer’s family, friends and colleagues after the “shocking and heinous crime”.

Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said: “Our police put themselves in harm's way every day to keep us safe. All my thoughts are with the officer’s family, friends and colleagues.”

It is the first killing of a police officer on duty since the death of PC Andrew Harper in Berkshire in August 2019.

Three teenagers were acquitted of murder and jailed for manslaughter after dragging him to death behind a car while trying to steal a quad bike.

The number of assaults recorded against officers have been rising in England and Wales, and the government is planning to increase jail sentences for attackers.

Read more

Police see 21% rise in assaults on officers during coronavirus lockdown

Met police chief says assaults on officers ‘shocking’ as thousands more to protest against racism

Death of PC Andrew Harper highlights rise in assaults on officers