Police used necessary force in fatal Surrey Quays shooting

Bryce Hodgson, 30, was shot dead at Bywater Place after police received reports that a man armed with crossbows and knives had entered a house and was trying to get into a bedroom where residents had barricaded themselves. 

At 5.07am on January 30 two police officers forced entry to the property and saw blood, broken glass and arrows near the front door and heard banging coming from within the property. 

As they entered the announced themselves, drew their tasers and gave instructions to Hodgson, an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found. 

As they approached him in the stairway Hodgson swung a sword at officers. 

One of the officers told him to show his hands and challenged him with a taser but did not fire. 

When Hogson failed to comply the two officers were advised to withdraw and wait for firearms officers who arrived at 5.15am. 

The firearms officers also tried to negotiate with Hogson but he told officers he was intent on killing someone who might be in the property, the IOPC said. 

When Hodgson pointed his loaded crossbow at officers an officer shot him twice, in the neck and chest. 

He died at the scene despite officers giving emergency first aid. 

Police officers at the scene near Bywater Place in Surrey Quays (Image: Lucy North) IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “This was a tragic incident where a man lost his life, and our sympathies are with Mr Hodgson’s family and everyone affected. 

“However, the actions of all officers involved in this incident, and the decision to use of lethal force, were in our opinion, justified, proportionate and necessary. 

“I would particularly like to highlight the bravery demonstrated by all of the officers who attended, including the two local response officers who entered the property first, knowing an armed man was still inside. 

“They took decisive action to confront Mr Hodgson, at considerable risk to their own lives, only withdrawing when instructed. 

“Despite being threatened with a weapon, they maintained their professionalism and demonstrated their commitment to keeping the public safe even when their own safety was at risk.” 

An inquest heard that Hodgson, originally from Sheffield, was single and working in IT at the time of his death, and his last known address was in south east London.   

Court documents show that Bryce Hodgson was handed a 16-week suspended jail term in July last year and put under supervision for 12 months after admitting stalking. 

The 30-year-old was convicted of a charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress for entering a woman’s bedroom without her consent, texting her to demand she open her door, and describing vivid sexual fantasies to her, between January and April last year. 

Hodgson was also put under a five-year restraining order that banned him from entering Bywater Place in Surrey Quays, where he was shot on Tuesday, and from contacting the woman. 

The IOPC also reviewed the Met’s offender management of Hodgson following his stalking conviction. 

Commander Charmain Brenyah, responsible for firearms policing in the Met, said: “We are pleased that the IOPC has found our officers’ actions were appropriate and that they also recognised the bravery of all those involved. 

“As well as acknowledging their professionalism, I too must also commend the officers for their bravery during this incident. 

“The two response officers who initially attended the scene entered knowing an armed man was inside. 

“They put their own lives at risk to try and confront Mr Hodgson and minimise the risk he posed. They only withdrew from the property when advised to do so, after a sword had been swung at them on more than one occasion. They truly embody our key values of integrity and courage. 

“The armed officers who arrived on scene also showed incredible bravery in trying to negotiate with Mr Hodgson, who told them he was intent on harming someone who may be in the property. When he pointed a loaded crossbow at the officers, police shot him twice, striking him in the neck and chest. 

“Weapons recovered from the scene included crossbows, a knife, a sword and a hatchet. 

“As this incident shows, our firearms officers play a vital role in protecting the public and unarmed colleagues, all while facing unique and extreme threats to their own lives. Their courage in being prepared to confront the armed and dangerous to protect our communities should never be underestimated.”