Gunman shoots police officer dead at Croydon HQ

A Metropolitan Police custody sergeant was shot dead at a police station in the early hours of today by a suspect who turned the gun on himself but is still alive.

The sergeant was shot at 2.15am this morning by the man who was allegedly being detained for possession of ammunition at Croydon custody centre in South London.

Officers and London Ambulance Service paramedics treated the unnamed officer at the scene before he was taken to hospital where he later died.

The custody sergeant is the tenth police officer to have been killed in the line of duty in the past decade, with the last being Andrew Harper in Berkshire in August 2019. 

Today’s incident marks the first time a UK police officer has been shot dead on duty since September 2012 when Dale Cregan killed PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

Detectives said a 23-year-old man was arrested by officers at the scene and taken to hospital with a gunshot wound, where he remains in a critical condition.  

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘My deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the police officer who was killed in Croydon last night. We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe.’

Scotland Yard said no police firearms were discharged, and they were informing the officer’s relatives and supporting them with specialist officers.

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.

‘When a colleague dies in the line of duty the shockwaves and sadness reverberates throughout the Met and our communities. 

‘Policing is a family, within London and nationally, and we will all deeply mourn our colleague.

‘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.’

Scotland Yard said it had referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which will lead an independent investigation. 

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: ‘I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn that a Metropolitan Police Officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty.

‘My thoughts today are with his family, friends and policing colleagues in London and across the country.

‘This morning I spoke to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick to express my condolences and to offer whatever support is needed as this tragic event is investigated.

‘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.’

Former Metropolian Police officer Dal Babu told LBC Radio: ‘A full body search, you’d expect that to take place at the time of the arrest.

‘The once they’re in the police station you might do a more thorough search, the custody officer may authorise a strip search, and that’s when you may find other weapons on individuals.

‘For safety purposes officers are advised to carry out the search at the time of the arrest.

‘Officers are having to travel some significant distances to take prisoners to custody suites.’

Steve Reed, Labour MP for Croydon North, said his thoughts were with the officer’s family and colleagues.

He tweeted: ‘All of us in Croydon are in shock at this heartbreaking tragic news.’

And Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘Horrific to hear of a police officer being shot and killed in Croydon.

‘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.’ 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: ‘Devastated by this news. My heart goes out to the family of this brave officer, who has paid the ultimate price for helping to keep Londoners safe.

Tragic incidents like this are terrible reminders of the dangers our police officers face every single day.’

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland tweeted he was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the news.

He said: ‘My thoughts are with the officer’s loved ones, colleagues and the wider police community.’

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We were called at 2.16am this morning to reports of an incident on Windmill Lane, Croydon.

‘We sent two ambulance crews, an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic and two medics in cars. We also dispatched a London’s Air Ambulance trauma team. 

‘The first of our medics were at the scene in under four minutes. We treated two people at the scene and took them both by road to a major trauma centre.’ 

Policing minister Kit Malthouse updated MPs about the officer’s death, adding: ‘May justice follow this heinous crime.’

Raising a point of order in the House of Commons, Mr Malthouse said: ‘We ask our police officers to do an extraordinary job.

‘The fact that one of them has fallen in the line of performing that duty is a tragedy for the entire nation.

‘I know the entire House will offer their condolences to his family and friends and colleagues. May he rest in peace and may justice follow this heinous crime.’

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle added: ‘It is shocking news. This should never happen to the people that protect us and make us safe. 

‘All our thoughts and prayers go with the family and friends and the police community.’

The National Police Chiefs’ Council tweeted: ‘There are no words to adequately describe this tragic and deeply upsetting event. 

‘Our sincere condolences go to the officer’s family, friends and wider Metropolitan Police colleagues. This is a sad day.’

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: ‘Our deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by this terrible event. 

‘We were notified by the MPS of the shooting incident at Croydon Custody Centre early this morning. 

‘We understand a police officer has since sadly died and a man is in a critical condition in hospital. 

‘A murder investigation by the force is under way. Our investigators are at the scene and police post incident procedure to begin our independent enquiries.’