A MURDER investigation has been launched following the lethal shooting of a police officer at a custody centre in South London.
According to a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police, the officer was shot at around 2:15am at Croydon Custody Centre in the south of the English capital.
They were treated by police and paramedics at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital by the London Ambulance Service.
The officer sadly died in hospital.
A 23-year-old man was detained by police at the scene.
He was taken to hospital with what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The man remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Police are in the early stages of their investigation and are still trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
They have confirmed, however, that no police firearms were discharged in the incident.
One of our police officers has sadly died after being shot by a man who was being detained in police custody in early this morning in Croydon.
Officers are in the process of informing members of the officer’s family.https://t.co/cJryos3UQN— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 25, 2020
Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has offered her condolences to the friends, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased.
“This is a truly shocking incident in which one of our colleagues has lost his life in the most tragic circumstances,” she said.
“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.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been left “devastated” by the news.
“My heart goes out to the family of this brave officer, who has paid the ultimate price for helping to keep Londoners safe,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Tragic incidents like this are terrible reminders of the dangers our police officers face every single day.
He added: “My thoughts are also with the entire Metropolitan Police family, who I know will be deeply mourning their colleague at this extremely difficult time.
“I remain in close contact with the Commissioner to offer her and our Met officers and staff my support.”
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. https://t.co/LQ7PHNxwJt— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) September 25, 2020
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also issued a statement via Twitter.
“My deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the police officer who was killed in Croydon last night,” he said.
“We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe.”
The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
They will lead an independent investigation into the shooting.
