An officer was shot dead, he was being detained, for a produced
weapon. Queensvibe Agent – he was suspect then turned the gun on himself.
The officer was treated at the scene overnight but died in
hospital. A 23-year-old man is in a critical condition after being treated for
gunshot wounds.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "We owe a huge debt to
those who risk their own lives to keep us safe."
In a post on social media he also said:
"My deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the
police officer who was killed in Croydon last night."
No police firearms were discharged during the incident at about
02:15 BST at the Windmill Road centre, the Met Police said. The officer's
family are being supported by specialist officers.
Asked about how someone could enter the building while armed,
former Det Ch Insp Chris Phillips said: "When people get arrested there is
a general view that they should be searched before being transported to the
police station but that doesn't always happen - and it depends on what the man
was arrested for in the first place.
"This goes down the line about handcuffing - do you
handcuff, when do the handcuffs get taken off for protection etc."
Reverend Catherine Tucker, who was at the centre earlier, said:
"The action taken against the police is really unacceptable but I also
feel sorry for the perpetrator.
"Sadly, I am not surprised there has been a shooting in
Croydon.
"There are tensions between the police and young people
particularly in relation to stop and search and the way the police relate to
the community."
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick described the loss of her
colleague as "truly shocking".
"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 said.
"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."
This appalling incident in Croydon appears to be absolutely
unique - and the shock felt today underlines how rare it is for police officers
in the UK to lose their life in the line of duty.
The Metropolitan Police officer shot dead in Croydon is the 17th
from the force to have been killed by a firearm since the Second World War.
But since the beginning of the 20th Century, only 73 police
officers have been shot and killed by criminals in the UK, excluding all deaths
in Northern Ireland.
The majority of those deaths - more than 50 - have occurred
since 1945.
Police officers in other parts of the world are often puzzled
why British constables are not routinely armed. But the fact is that there are
very few criminal guns in circulation - and the culture of policing has never
seen it as acceptable to be universally armed.
However, Tasers are increasingly a common sight in the UK - and
a massive survey of police officers recently found three-quarters would carry
one of the less-than-lethal devices on the frontline, if given the choice.
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.
"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."
'Sick to their stomachs'
Ken Marsh, chairman of
the Met Police Federation, said: "The murder of a colleague on duty is
utterly devastating news.
"Officers across
London are in shock and sick to their stomachs at the nature of his death.
"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."
The incident has been
referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which will lead an
independent investigation.
The Met continues to
investigate the officer's murder.
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