23-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder of police sergeant Matt Ratana

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Sergeant Matt Ratana, the Metropolitan Police said.

Ratana was shot at Croydon Custody Centre in south London on 25 September.

He was taken to hospital but later died of his wounds.

A 23-year-old man who had been arrested for a separate offence was detained at the centre in Windmill Lane and then taken by ambulance to hospital with a gunshot wound.

The Met Police said the man’s condition, originally critical, has since “stabilised” and is "no longer considered life-threatening".

The force said the man was considered fit to be arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday.

He remains in hospital and officers will liaise with medical and legal teams in assessing when he will be fit for interview, police said.

Speaking after the arrest, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said: "Matt's loss hit the Met and the wider world everywhere very hard.

"He was a great officer with wonderful qualities and so many people have been impacted by his loss and will miss him a lot. 

"You are aware a person was arrested for other offences before that, and after Matt was killed that person went to hospital. 

"They have been very unwell but their condition has now stabilised and improved sufficiently for us to be able to arrest him for murder today. 

"So, a 23-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of Matt Ratana. 

"It's an important milestone and hopefully it brings some tiny comfort to Matt's partner Su, Matt's wider family and everyone who has been affected. 

"The investigation is moving on into a dreadful, dreadful homicide."