Charing Cross Police Station
| Charing Cross Police Station | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of the Charing Cross Police Station area | |
| General information | |
| Location | Charing Cross, London, England |
| Coordinates | 51°30′35″N 0°07′30″W / 51.5097°N 0.1250°W |
| Construction started | 15 September 1831 |
| Completed | January 1834 |
| Opened | 10 February 1834 (as Charing Cross Hospital) |
| Owner | Metropolitan Police |
Charing Cross Police Station is a Metropolitan Police Service station in London's Charing Cross area. Its site in Agar Street was formerly the main site of Charing Cross Hospital.[1] The station, UK's busiest,[2][3] comprises two individually listed Grade II listed buildings.[4][5]
History
Starting in 2018, a series of investigations known collectively as Operation Hotton were carried out by the Metropolitan Police regarding activities of officers based mostly at Charing Cross Police Station.[6] These were unified into a single investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.[7][8] Following the IOPC's findings of multiple cases of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, the Metropolitan Police accepted the recommendations made by the IOPC.[6][9]
An undercover Panorama investigation released in 2025 showed officers at Charing Cross Police Station displaying racist and misogynistic attitudes and bragging about the use of excessive force.[10] In response to the programme's findings, the Metropolitan Police suspended eight officers and one staff member, took two officers off of frontline duties, and referred the matter to the IOPC.[10] Commissioner Mark Rowley said the documented behaviour was "totally unacceptable and contrary to the values and standards" of the police force.[10] As a result of the investigation, seven officers were dismissed from the force for gross misconduct[11] and the custody team at Charing Cross was disbanded.[12]
Facilities
The station has two armouries for storage of police firearms and ammunition.[13]
References
- ^ "Lost Hospitals of London". ezitis.myzen.co.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Metropolitan Police chief vows to remove racist, sexist and violent officers from force". Sky News. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Why the BBC went undercover in the Met Police to investigate claims of racism and misogyny". BBC News. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "FORMER CHARING CROSS HOSPITAL (EAST SIDE), Non Civil Parish - 1066516 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "WESTERN CORNER BLOCK OF FORMER CHARING CROSS HOSPITAL, Non Civil Parish - 1224573 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Charing Cross: Met Police vow to 'root out' bad officers". BBC News. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Q&A with the Met on Charing Cross police scandal | London City Hall". www.london.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Operation Hotton recommendations - Metropolitan Police Service, September 2021 | Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)". www.policeconduct.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Operation Hotton learning report, January 2022 | Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)". www.policeconduct.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Adrian Polglase; Joseph Lee (1 October 2025). "Unmasked: Secret BBC filming exposes hidden culture of misogyny and racism inside Met Police". BBC News. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Seventh officer dismissed for gross misconduct at Charing Cross". Metropolitan Police. 27 November 2025.
- ^ Megan Howe (12 September 2025). "Nine officers at Charing Cross Police station suspended after allegations of 'criminality and misconduct'". Evening Standard.
- ^ "Charing Cross Police Station". Southern Construction Framework. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
External links
- Charing Cross Hospital. Lost Hospitals of London.