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Croydon police shooting: Four crime scenes searched over Sgt Matt Ratana death Croydon police shooting: Four crime scenes searched over Sgt Matt Ratana death
(about 3 hours later)
Police investigating the fatal shooting of a police officer in south London say four crime scenes are being searched.Police investigating the fatal shooting of a police officer in south London say four crime scenes are being searched.
Sgt Matiu Ratana, 54, from New Zealand, died in hospital on Friday after being shot in Croydon as a handcuffed suspect was being taken into custody.Sgt Matiu Ratana, 54, from New Zealand, died in hospital on Friday after being shot in Croydon as a handcuffed suspect was being taken into custody.
The 23-year-old suspect, who is thought to have then shot himself, remains in a critical condition, police said.The 23-year-old suspect, who is thought to have then shot himself, remains in a critical condition, police said.
Residents near one of the search areas, in Banstead, Surrey, reported hearing a loud explosion on Saturday morning.Residents near one of the search areas, in Banstead, Surrey, reported hearing a loud explosion on Saturday morning.
People living near the address on Park Road were woken by noises at about 05:40 BST. People living near the address in Park Road were woken by noises at about 05:40 BST.
The BBC's Daniel De Simone said the Banstead address is down a long driveway and its land contains a series of concrete bunkers.The BBC's Daniel De Simone said the Banstead address is down a long driveway and its land contains a series of concrete bunkers.
Multiple police officers, including armed officers, were visible in the area and people had been informed that a controlled explosion had taken place, the BBC was told.Multiple police officers, including armed officers, were visible in the area and people had been informed that a controlled explosion had taken place, the BBC was told.
A marked police car has been guarding the entrance to the property.A marked police car has been guarding the entrance to the property.
Police confirmed the other scenes undergoing searches are Croydon Custody Centre, where the shooting occurred, an area of London Road in Pollards Hill, where the suspect was initially arrested, and an address on Southbrook Road, Norbury. Police confirmed the other scenes undergoing searches are Croydon Custody Centre, where the shooting occurred, an area of London Road in Pollards Hill, where the suspect was initially arrested, and an address in Southbrook Road, Norbury.
Gun recoveredGun recovered
On Saturday evening, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said the Metropolitan Police was focusing on four crime scenes.On Saturday evening, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said the Metropolitan Police was focusing on four crime scenes.
He added: "We have recovered the gun from the custody suite where Matt was shot.He added: "We have recovered the gun from the custody suite where Matt was shot.
"We also have CCTV from that custody suite which shows the events, and we have body-worn video of our police officers who were involved in the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the suspect.""We also have CCTV from that custody suite which shows the events, and we have body-worn video of our police officers who were involved in the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the suspect."
The murder investigation is expected to focus on the motive for the killing.The murder investigation is expected to focus on the motive for the killing.
Previously, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was "incredibly sad", telling those who knew Sgt Ratana that "we share your sorrow".Previously, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was "incredibly sad", telling those who knew Sgt Ratana that "we share your sorrow".
UK leaders have also been paying tribute to Sgt Ratana, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressing his "deepest condolences".UK leaders have also been paying tribute to Sgt Ratana, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressing his "deepest condolences".
Sgt Ratana will be remembered later at the National Police Memorial Day Service, alongside the six other officers who have died on duty in the last 12 months. Sgt Ratana will be remembered later at the National Police Memorial Day Service, alongside the six other officers who have died on duty in the past 12 months.
The Reverend Cannon David Wilbraham, who is leading the service - taking place online this year - said the event will show their "sacrifice is not forgotten" and allow the public "to recognise the dedication to duty and the courage displayed".The Reverend Cannon David Wilbraham, who is leading the service - taking place online this year - said the event will show their "sacrifice is not forgotten" and allow the public "to recognise the dedication to duty and the courage displayed".
East Grinstead Rugby Club, where the 54-year-old was head coach, are holding two separate minute's silences on Sunday morning to pay their respects.
The West Sussex club's Vice Chairman Matt Marriot said they had to arrange two events because the "interest has been pretty enormous", with "people coming from all over the country".
He said Sgt Ratana "wasn't just our coach... he was a role model, a mentor and often a father figure".
"We're going to mourn him as a family member," he added.
Sgt Ratana was shot in the chest at Croydon Custody Centre at about 02:15 BST on Friday.Sgt Ratana was shot in the chest at Croydon Custody Centre at about 02:15 BST on Friday.
The suspect had initially been arrested for an alleged drugs offence and possession of ammunition.The suspect had initially been arrested for an alleged drugs offence and possession of ammunition.
The shots were fired as officers prepared to search the suspect - who was still handcuffed - with a metal detector, according to watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). He remains in a critical condition in hospital.The shots were fired as officers prepared to search the suspect - who was still handcuffed - with a metal detector, according to watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). He remains in a critical condition in hospital.
"Several crime scenes" were established on Friday and a cordon remains in place around the Anderson Heights building in Norbury, south-west London, the Met has said."Several crime scenes" were established on Friday and a cordon remains in place around the Anderson Heights building in Norbury, south-west London, the Met has said.
A concierge in the building told the BBC the 23-year-old suspect did not live in the block but was arrested outside it.A concierge in the building told the BBC the 23-year-old suspect did not live in the block but was arrested outside it.
Sir Peter Fahy, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, told the BBC: "It's very callous and it's obviously going to cause a lot of fear for police officers. It's very upsetting for them as it makes them feel so vulnerable."
He said the circumstances surrounding the death appeared to be "incredibly unusual", adding: "There are procedures of searching prisoners before they are taken to police stations in vans or in cars; they're searched again when they get to police stations and there are additional procedures because of screening for Covid.
"It will be important to get out fairly quickly the circumstances to see if there's anything that can be learnt about it."
Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida said the shooting was not terror-related.Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida said the shooting was not terror-related.
It is believed the suspect was known to counter-terrorism police and his background may feature prominently in police inquiries, BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said.It is believed the suspect was known to counter-terrorism police and his background may feature prominently in police inquiries, BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said.
The suspect had been referred to the anti-extremism government's Prevent programme, aimed to stop people joining extremist groups and carrying out terrorist activities.The suspect had been referred to the anti-extremism government's Prevent programme, aimed to stop people joining extremist groups and carrying out terrorist activities.
As part of the IOPC investigation it is examining CCTV and police bodycam footage to establish how the shootings took place.As part of the IOPC investigation it is examining CCTV and police bodycam footage to establish how the shootings took place.
The watchdog said the suspect was in handcuffs, with his hands behind his back.The watchdog said the suspect was in handcuffs, with his hands behind his back.
A key part of that IOPC investigation will be to find out how thoroughly the suspect was searched before he was taken into custody.A key part of that IOPC investigation will be to find out how thoroughly the suspect was searched before he was taken into custody.
Sgt Ratana came to the UK in his early 20s in 1989 and joined the Met Police two years later.Sgt Ratana came to the UK in his early 20s in 1989 and joined the Met Police two years later.
He was originally from the Hawke's Bay area of New Zealand and was educated at Palmerston North Boy's High School, north of the capital, Wellington.He was originally from the Hawke's Bay area of New Zealand and was educated at Palmerston North Boy's High School, north of the capital, Wellington.
Sgt Ratana, who had a partner and an adult son from a previous relationship, would have been eligible for retirement in two months.Sgt Ratana, who had a partner and an adult son from a previous relationship, would have been eligible for retirement in two months.
Speaking on Friday evening, Dame Cressida described Sgt Ratana as a "talented officer". On Sunday, Dame Cressida joined London's Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Priti Patel in laying wreaths at the National Police Memorial in central London.
"As a colleague, he was big in stature and big-hearted, a friendly, capable police officer," she said. Speaking on Friday evening, she described Sgt Ratana as a "talented officer" who was "big in stature and big-hearted".
"A lovely man, highly respected by officers and staff, and by the public, including suspects he arrested or dealt with in custody.
"He was very well known locally and will be remembered so fondly in Croydon, as well as in the Met and the rugby world.""He was very well known locally and will be remembered so fondly in Croydon, as well as in the Met and the rugby world."
She added: "I understand the great concern about how this happened and we will establish the facts. We owe it to Matt, his loved ones and all other officers."She added: "I understand the great concern about how this happened and we will establish the facts. We owe it to Matt, his loved ones and all other officers."
Boris Johnson was among those who reacted to the news, tweeting: "My deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the police officer who was killed in Croydon last night. Boris Johnson was among those who paid tribute, tweeting: "My deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the police officer who was killed in Croydon last night.
"We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe.""We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe."
In a statement, New Zealand PM Ms Ardern said: "To all Matiu's whanau (Maori for extended family) across the world, we share your sorrow and have all our condolences."In a statement, New Zealand PM Ms Ardern said: "To all Matiu's whanau (Maori for extended family) across the world, we share your sorrow and have all our condolences."
New Zealand Police - where Sgt Ratana worked between 2003 and 2008 before returning to the UK - also sent their condolences, adding: "Policing is a family."New Zealand Police - where Sgt Ratana worked between 2003 and 2008 before returning to the UK - also sent their condolences, adding: "Policing is a family."
When he was not working, Sgt Ratana was heavily involved in rugby coaching.When he was not working, Sgt Ratana was heavily involved in rugby coaching.
Ryan Morlen, assistant head coach at East Grinstead Rugby Club in West Sussex, described him as "an absolutely lovely bloke". England Rugby paid tribute to the 54-year-old, saying he "gave so much for our sport".
"He is a bloke who is just so passionate about what he does - it does not matter whether you're the most talented or least talented, he will treat you equal," he said. Crystal Palace Football Club held a minute's silence before their match against Everton on Saturday, to "pay our respects to local police officer Sgt Matt Ratana".
Crystal Palace Football Club held a minute's silence before their match against Everton at 15:00 on Saturday, to "pay our respects to local police officer Sgt Matt Ratana".
A minute's silence was also held before the London derby between Millwall and Brentford.A minute's silence was also held before the London derby between Millwall and Brentford.
England Rugby also paid tribute to the 54-year-old, saying he "gave so much for our sport".
Neil Donohue, a friend of Sgt Ratana who runs a gym he used to attend, described him as "inspirational" and "the nicest, most generous man you could meet".Neil Donohue, a friend of Sgt Ratana who runs a gym he used to attend, described him as "inspirational" and "the nicest, most generous man you could meet".
He told the BBC the 54-year-old had gone into "the custody side [of policing] purely because he had had enough out on the streets and he thought it was his safest option, just to see him through to his retirement".He told the BBC the 54-year-old had gone into "the custody side [of policing] purely because he had had enough out on the streets and he thought it was his safest option, just to see him through to his retirement".
"It's just absolutely tragic," he said."It's just absolutely tragic," he said.
A number of police officers have been turning their social media profile pictures black with a blue stripe to pay their respects. A number of police officers have turned their social media profile pictures black with a blue stripe to pay their respects.
John Davies, a retired officer who worked with Sgt Ratana when he was based in Hillingdon, west London, said he was "a truly remarkable, strong and unique individual" who "left an impression on all those he came into contact with".John Davies, a retired officer who worked with Sgt Ratana when he was based in Hillingdon, west London, said he was "a truly remarkable, strong and unique individual" who "left an impression on all those he came into contact with".
Former police sergeant Alistair Livingstone told BBC Breakfast: "It's just utterly tragic. It almost gives all police officers, whether serving or not, the ultimate reality check that although perhaps we feel invincible when we go out and do the job everyone expects of us, in fact the risks are very real and it stops you in your tracks.
"The police are incredibly good when things go wrong like this. Some of the best support police officers get is from each other. Mental health is such a big issue across society so I hope the officers get all the support they need."
Do you have any information you can share? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Do you have any information you can share? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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