Update on IOPC investigation into Charing Cross Police Station officers

We are notifying 11 individuals that they are being investigated for potential gross misconduct as part of our investigation into allegations relating to the behaviour of current or former Met Police officers based at Charing Cross Police Station.

One of those, a police constable, has also been advised they are subject to a criminal investigation on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. The Met has confirmed it has suspended eight serving officers and a staff member.

Our investigation began on 12 September shortly after we received a mandatory conduct referral from the Met relating to the conduct of 11 individuals – nine serving Met officers, a former Met officer and a serving designated detention officer.

One of the serving officers has been advised we will not be investigating their conduct because there is currently no indication they may have breached police professional standards.

We also received a referral from a second force for a twelfth individual, who was previously based at Charing Cross but has since transferred to another force. They are one of the 11 being investigated for potential gross misconduct.

The Met became aware of the allegations after an approach from BBC Panorama  which contained detailed accounts about the alleged conduct of those officers.

The allegations include excessive use of force, making discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour, and are alleged to have occurred both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025.

We have obtained a significant amount of CCTV footage from Charing Cross custody suite for the period of time the allegations relate to, which will be subject to detailed analysis.

IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said: “Having advised the individuals they are under investigation we will now be securing initial accounts from them.  We are treating this matter extremely seriously and have a team of investigators carrying out enquiries.

“Given the volume of CCTV footage and the number of individuals involved, it will take time to obtain and review all of the evidence, however we want to reassure the public that we are working hard to progress enquiries as quickly as possible.”

We have identified and are contacting members of the public involved to inform them of our investigation and explain our role and we will be speaking to them in due course.

As part of our enquiries, we have made a direct appeal to Met Police officers and staff who are - or have been - based at Charing Cross for information about potential conduct matters at the custody suite. We are also appealing to any members of the public who may have information that can assist our enquiries. Since our investigation began we have made several attempts to secure evidence from the BBC Panorama programme makers which will be crucial to our enquiries.

Ms Rowe continued: “As a result of our appeal within the Met, we have already had a number of police staff who previously worked at Charing Cross station contact us with information and we are following up each report. We urge anyone with information about concerning behaviour at the station’s custody suite to contact our investigation team, and this includes members of the public with anything that may assist us.

Anyone with information should contact the IOPC on 0300 303 5736 or email [email protected]