Met Police mark 60 years since Braybrook Street murders as assaults on officers rise

The Metropolitan Police Service held a ceremony on 12 August 2026 to mark 60 years since the murders of three officers in Braybrook Street, Shepherd’s Bush. Detective Sergeant Christopher Head, Detective Constable David Wombwell, and Police Constable Geoffrey Fox were killed on 12 August 1966 during a routine patrol in an unmarked police car. The three men convicted of their murders served life sentences, with the ringleader imprisoned for 48 years.

Commissioner warns of weakened institutional support

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley delivered a speech at the event, stating that the justice system’s support for officers has deteriorated since 1966. He cited the case of PC Andrew Harper, whose family’s treatment after his death in 2019 left officers questioning whether the state would stand behind them in future. Rowley said the rule of law depends on officers’ courage being met with "unhesitatingly robust support" from the criminal justice system.

Assaults on officers remain high

Rowley revealed that around 20 officers are assaulted every day in London, with two suffering serious injuries each week. The figures underscore the ongoing risks faced by police despite advances in training and equipment since 1966. The Braybrook Street murders led to the standardisation of firearms training through the creation of the Firearms Training Unit, a direct response to the tragedy.

Families receive royal recognition

The families of Detective Sergeant Christopher Head and Detective Constable David Wombwell were presented with the Elizabeth Emblem by Rowley on behalf of His Majesty The King. The award recognises the sacrifice of police officers killed in the line of duty. The ceremony also acknowledged the work of Police Care UK, a charity established after the 1966 murders to support the families of officers killed or injured on duty.

Later this year, the MO19 Specialist Taskforce Centre in Gravesend will reopen its teaching collection, ensuring the legacy of the three officers continues to educate new recruits. The centre’s reopening follows a period of refurbishment to modernise its facilities.

What happens next

The Metropolitan Police has not announced further public events linked to the anniversary. The force continues to monitor assaults on officers and has called for stronger legal protections for police. The families of Head and Wombwell will retain the Elizabeth Emblem as a permanent tribute to their relatives’ service.