Met statement in response to allegations of misconduct at Charing Cross Police Station

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist has responded to allegations around officer and staff conduct at Charing Cross Police Station. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has begun an independent investigation into allegations relating to the behaviour of 11 current or former Met officers and one staff member based at Charing Cross Police Station.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said:

“As a result of information received on 9 September 2025, enquiries 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 twenty-four 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.

“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.

“I would encourage anyone who has any information on corrupt and improper behaviour by Met officers or staff to contact the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Line.”