Investigation under way into behaviour of officers based at Charing Cross police station

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.

The IOPC’s investigation follows a mandatory conduct referral from the MPS relating to the conduct of 11 individuals – nine serving officers, a former MPS officer and a serving designated detention officer.

It also received a referral from another force relating to the conduct of a former MPS officer who was previously based at Charing Cross and has since transferred.

The officers range in rank from police constable to sergeant.

“The Met has advised us that it has suspended nine individuals,” the IOPC said.

IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said: “These are concerning allegations involving a large number of individuals and we understand there will be public concern, particularly in light of our previous investigation into similar allegations at the same police station.

“We want to reassure the public that we will carry out a robust, independent investigation.

“We understand the Met was alerted to these allegations by a third party and we have written to that party to request that it urgently provides us with information that will be central to our enquiries.

“Our priority at this stage is to secure all of the relevant evidence.”

The investigation is in its very early stages and we will provide further information when we are in a position to do so.

MPS Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “As a result of information received on September 9, 2025, inquiries were immediately launched by our Directorate of Professional Standards into allegations of criminality and misconduct by officers and staff based at Charing Cross police station.

“The behaviour as reported is disgraceful and nine officers were suspended within 24 hours of the allegations being assessed and another two officers have been removed from frontline duties. Rapid steps to secure evidence and protect the public have also been taken. We asked the IOPC to look at this and welcome their decision to take on the investigation.

“We are also taking immediate steps to dismantle the current custody team at this station, significantly changing the leadership in our custody command and the Westminster leadership team. This is an exceptional reset and will ensure high standards.

“In addition, we are scrutinising more widely the leadership and culture within these teams, led by Professional Standards and senior leaders, to root out any further failings.

“The leadership of these teams failed to create the right culture that identified warning signs or generated confidence in junior colleagues to report. This is one of the reasons we are taking such assertive exceptional action.

“However, good officers and staff have stepped forward over the past three years with reports increasing threefold, helping us more than triple the rate of those exited, up from 150 a year to 557 last year.”

He added: “The Met’s leadership has been very clear that it will not tolerate behaviour that fails to meet the organisation’s standards of professionalism and integrity. We have already taken immediate action and this will continue over the coming days as we assess the full implications.

“The Met has been steadily regaining the trust of Londoners, but we are under no illusions about the continued challenge we face. We will be relentless, leaving no stone unturned, in removing people who have no place in the Met.”