Force used by officers in fatal shooting was ‘necessary and proportionate’

Bryce Hodgson was shot dead in Bywater Place on January 30 after reports that a man, armed with crossbows and knives, had entered a house and was trying to get into a bedroom where residents had barricaded themselves.

The investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found that the actions of all officers involved, and the decision to use lethal force, were “justified, proportionate and necessary” given the ongoing threat to officers and others inside the property.

MPS local response units had arrived at the address at 5.07am and two police constables forced entry into the property via the front door, knowing that the armed man was inside.

They had seen blood, broken glass and arrows near the front door and had heard banging coming from within the property, said the IOPC.

As they entered the address, the two officers drew their Tasers. They announced themselves and delivered clear and appropriate instructions to Mr Hodgson, in line with policy and training.

After they approached him in the stairway, Mr Hodgson swung a sword in the officers’ direction several times. One of the officers instructed him to show his hands and challenged him with a Taser, which was not discharged.

When Mr Hodgson failed to comply they were advised to withdraw and then requested assistance.

Firearms officers arrived at around 5.15am and also tried to negotiate with Mr Hodgson.

“It was clear from the body-worn video that he told the officers he was intent on killing someone who may be in the property,” the IOPC said. “He pointed his loaded crossbow at the officers and an officer shot him twice, striking him in the neck and chest.”

Officers gave emergency first aid but Mr Hodgson died at the scene. An inquest will be held in due course.

Commander Charmain Brenyah, responsible for firearms policing in the MPS, said: “We are pleased that the IOPC has found our officers’ actions were appropriate and that they also recognised the bravery of all those involved.

“As well as acknowledging their professionalism, I too must also commend the officers for their bravery during this incident.

“The two response officers who initially attended the scene entered knowing an armed man was inside.

“They put their own lives at risk to try and confront Mr Hodgson and minimise the risk he posed. They only withdrew from the property when advised to do so, after a sword had been swung at them on more than one occasion. They truly embody our key values of integrity and courage.

“The armed officers who arrived on scene also showed incredible bravery in trying to negotiate with Mr Hodgson, who told them he was intent on harming someone who may be in the property. When he pointed a loaded crossbow at the officers, police shot him twice, striking him in the neck and chest.

“Weapons recovered from the scene included crossbows, a knife, a sword and a hatchet.

“As this incident shows, our firearms officers play a vital role in protecting the public and unarmed colleagues, all while facing unique and extreme threats to their own lives. Their courage in being prepared to confront the armed and dangerous to protect our communities should never be underestimated.”

IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “This was a tragic incident where a man lost his life, and our sympathies are with Mr Hodgson’s family and everyone affected.

“However, the actions of all officers involved in this incident, and the decision to use of lethal force, were in our opinion, justified, proportionate and necessary.

“I would particularly like to highlight the bravery demonstrated by all of the officers who attended, including the two local response officers who entered the property first, knowing an armed man was still inside.

“They took decisive action to confront Mr Hodgson, at considerable risk to their own lives, only withdrawing when instructed.

“Despite being threatened with a weapon, they maintained their professionalism and demonstrated their commitment to keeping the public safe even when their own safety was at risk.”

As part of the investigation, IOPC investigators attended the property and oversaw the MPS’s detailed scene examination. Witness statements were obtained from police officers, members of the public and the occupants of the house. CCTV footage, police officers’ body-worn footage and mobile phone footage were analysed and compared, along with Taser downloads, radio and telephone transmissions and a firearms expert’s report.

“During the investigation, all officers were treated as witnesses and we found no indication that any police officer had committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings,” said the IOPC.

“Our report and findings will be shared with HM Coroner to assist with coronial proceedings.”

As well as investigating the actions and decisions of the officers who came into contact with Mr Hodgson on January 30 and the use of force, the IOPC also reviewed the MPS’s offender management of Mr Hodgson following his stalking conviction in June 2023.

He was placed on bail and made to wear an electronic tag with conditions not to enter the exclusion zone of SE16, except for once when in the company of police he collected his belongings on July 13, 2023, in accordance with his bail conditions.

Despite the Electronic Monitoring Service being informed of this authorised visit in advance, an alert was triggered, and he was arrested on July 18 for a breach of bail conditions.

“We are now consulting with the Met over a learning recommendation to enhance the current processes with an additional check of police systems prior to arrest, in circumstances where bail conditions allow for individuals to attend a given location in the company of police,” the IOPC said.

“The evidence indicates that nothing disclosed by Mr Hodgson on July 18, nor his behaviour, gave reason for any safeguarding concerns to be raised for him or the occupants of Bywater Place.”