shooting croydon

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Shooting
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Police Appeal After Fatal Shooting in Croydon Industrial Estate Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Major Incident Team have issued a renewed appeal for witnesses following a fatal shooting in the Imperial Way area of Croydon, south London. The incident, which occurred late on Thursday, 19 June 2025, resulted in the death of 41-year-old Anthony Morrison, who was found with gunshot wounds shortly after 17:00 BST. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended the scene but, despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. The area, an industrial zone near a major road network, was immediately cordoned off by police as a murder investigation commenced. Mr. Morrison's next of kin have been informed and are currently receiving specialist support from trained family liaison officers as the investigation seeks to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack. The nature of the incident—a daylight shooting in a busy, if commercial, locale—has sent ripples of concern through the wider Croydon community, highlighting persistent challenges with serious violent crime in the borough. Ongoing Forensic Work and Witness Appeals The investigation, led by the Met's Specialist Crime Command, has seen extensive forensic work carried out across the Imperial Way site.

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This has involved searching nearby businesses, reviewing hours of CCTV footage from commercial properties, and house-to-house enquiries in the surrounding streets. Detective Chief Inspector Dan Whitten, who is leading the investigation, stressed the importance of public assistance in piecing together the sequence of events. "This was a tragic incident, and my thoughts remain with the man’s family at this incredibly difficult time," DCI Whitten said in an official statement. "Our team is working tirelessly, but we know there are people out there who witnessed the incident, or who may have been driving past and captured something crucial on dash-cam footage. Even the smallest piece of information could be the key to bringing the perpetrator to justice. " DCI Whitten appealed directly to the public, adding: "The area around Imperial Way is often busy with traffic and employees coming and going, even on a Thursday afternoon. If you saw anything suspicious, heard a disturbance, or have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact us immediately. " The investigation team has made it clear that while they are following a number of specific lines of enquiry, they are keeping an open mind regarding the motive behind the fatal shooting.

Context of Violence in Croydon This latest incident comes amid ongoing efforts by local authorities and the Metropolitan Police to tackle rising levels of serious violence in the borough. Croydon has historically faced challenges associated with violent crime, leading to the adoption of a 'public health approach' to violence reduction by the local council and its partners since 2019. This multi-agency strategy, overseen by the Safer Croydon Partnership Board, aims to treat violence not just as a law enforcement issue, but as a public health epidemic requiring early intervention, community-based support, and targeted services for young people susceptible to risk factors. A security analyst specialising in London crime patterns, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation, noted that incidents involving firearms, while statistically rare, have a disproportionately high impact on public confidence. “When we see a shooting in a location like an industrial estate, it suggests either a highly targeted attack or an extremely high level of risk taken by those involved," the analyst explained. "The police response has to be robust, not just to solve the current case, but to reassure businesses and residents that such acts are the exception, not the rule. Long-term, reducing violence requires sustained funding for the community projects designed to intervene long before a young person reaches the point of picking up a weapon. ” The borough has been the location of deeply traumatic gun-related events in recent years, including the fatal shooting of Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matiu Ratana, who was killed by a handcuffed suspect inside the Croydon Custody Centre in September 2020.

That tragedy underscored the dangers faced by frontline officers and remains a stark reminder of the severity of violence circulating in some parts of the city. Community Resilience and Outlook Despite the shock of the recent event, community leaders have reiterated their commitment to maintaining resilience and cooperating with the authorities. Local groups involved in the violence reduction network continue to mobilise efforts, focusing on mentorship programmes and safe spaces for young people. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that local neighbourhood policing teams are increasing visibility patrols across key wards in the borough to help quell any community anxiety and provide a point of contact for concerned residents. The investigation into the death of Anthony Morrison remains active and fast-moving. Police are relying on the continued vigilance and civic courage of the Croydon community to come forward with any information that can help secure a conviction. The focus of the Met remains on the meticulous gathering of evidence to trace the firearm used and identify those responsible, ensuring accountability for this fatal act of violence.

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