The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched a major investigation into allegations of gross misconduct involving eleven individuals based at Charing Cross police station in central London. The probe, initiated following a mandatory conduct referral from the Metropolitan Police, involves nine serving officers, one former officer, and a serving designated detention officer. The watchdog confirmed that one constable is also under criminal investigation for allegedly perverting the course of justice.

Allegations against the officers include excessive use of force, making discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behavior. The incidents are said to have occurred both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025. In response to the allegations, the Metropolitan Police has suspended nine officers pending the outcome of the investigation, demonstrating the seriousness with which the force is treating the matter.

IOPC Director Amanda Rowe stated that her organization is 'treating this matter extremely seriously' and has deployed a team of investigators to carry out inquiries. The investigation will involve analyzing a significant amount of CCTV footage from the station's custody suite, with the watchdog acknowledging that the volume of evidence and number of individuals involved means the process will take considerable time to complete thoroughly.

The investigation has gained additional prominence as the allegations are scheduled to feature in a Panorama documentary airing on BBC One and iPlayer. The IOPC is appealing to both current and former Charing Cross staff members, as well as members of the public, for any information that could assist their ongoing probe into the conduct of officers at one of London's busiest police stations.

Kilcoo secured their place in Down football history on Sunday, capturing an unprecedented seventh consecutive Senior Football Championship title with a 1-17 to 1-11 victory over Carryduff at Pairc Esler. The Magpies delivered their strongest performance of the championship when it mattered most, with Paul Devlin's first-half penalty goal providing crucial separation in a hard-fought contest that saw the throw-in time pushed back to 5pm following a pitch inspection.

The match, originally scheduled for 3:30pm, saw Kilcoo demonstrate the championship experience that has defined their remarkable 12-title run over 13 seasons. Devlin's 22nd-minute penalty strike down the middle proved decisive, with the player explaining his calculated approach: "It was a big moment in the game and it needed to go in, so I didn't want to put it in the corner and the keeper has a chance if diving. I just thought I wanted to hit it hard."

Carryduff, making their first final appearance since losing to Kilcoo in the 2020 decider, mounted a second-half rally but ultimately fell short of claiming what would have been their inaugural Frank O'Hare Cup. The South Belfast club had powered past Burren in the semi-final with their full contingent available, but couldn't overcome Kilcoo's championship pedigree despite showing improved form from their previous final appearance five years earlier.

Devlin expressed satisfaction with the victory amid external skepticism, noting "it's nice to see that people want Kilcoo to fall" while emphasizing the team's resilience. "This one is sweet with how the game played out and the build-up where we were doubted in this year's championship," he told BBC Sport NI. "It just shows the character of this team. Big teams play well in big games and we have that experience to put in those big performances." The win solidifies Kilcoo's status as the dominant force in Down football, achieving a landmark that had eluded them when Burren denied their seventh consecutive title bid in 2018.