Police officer shot dead by suspect held at south London station

Suspect, 23, turned gun on himself and remains in hospital in critical condition

A “much-loved” police officer has been shot dead at a custody centre in London.

The suspect, a 23-year-old man, is then thought to have shot himself. He is now in a critical condition in hospital.

The officer, who has not yet been named, was shot in the chest at the custody centre in  Croydon shortly after 2am.

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

The suspect was known to counter-terror police, the BBC reported, but the shooting is not currently being treated as terror-related.

The shooting happened while the suspect was being checked as part of coronavirus protocols, after being removed from a police van.

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.”

She described the officer as a “much loved colleague” who was a long-serving sergeant and had been working in the Croydon custody centre.

Members of the public left flowers and tributes at the station through the day, and at 4pm, police and officials gathered for a minute’s silence.

Boris Johnson spoke to Dame Cressida to offer his condolences, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

A friend of the killed officer said he had been looking forward to retiring.

“We all looked to him – on the field or off the rugby field, he always found a way to gee us up,” he added.

“The man was a machine. He went from training with us last night to come to his shift work here in Croydon.”

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.

The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said it was supporting the officers involved in the incident.

“Officers across London are in shock and sick to their stomachs at the nature of his death,” said chair Ken Marsh.

“Officers put themselves in danger every day to protect the public. Sadly, on very rare occasions officers make the ultimate sacrifice whilst fulfilling their role. When that happens we will ensure their bravery and sacrifice is never forgotten.”

Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “It is another tragic reminder of the risks police officers take on a daily basis to keep the public safe.

“Policing is a family and I join my colleagues across the country in mourning the senseless death of one of our own in the line of duty.”

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 mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Tragic incidents like this are terrible reminders of the dangers our police officers face every single day they go into work to keep Londoners safe. They are the very best of us, and I remain in close contact with the Commissioner to offer her and the Met my ongoing support.”

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.

His wife Lissie Harper, who is campaigning for mandatory life sentences for police killers, said: “Another hero has been taken from us in unwarranted violence. They protect us but who protects them?

“My heart is broken for yet another member of our blue line family, and all of his family, friends and colleagues who must now accept a life without him in it.”

The officer is thought to be the first to be fatally shot in the line of duty since Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were murdered by Dale Cregan in 2012. 

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.

The shooting came days after 11 Metropolitan Police officers were injured by acid during a drugs raid.