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.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."