Man arrested after Pc killed in hit and run

A LONG-SERVING police constable has died after he was critically injured as he tried to stop a speeding car.

Reigate Avenue in Sutton, south London, where PC Andrew Duncan was killed. Picture: PA

Pc Andrew Duncan, 47, was pronounced dead in hospital yesterday morning, following the collision in Sutton, south London, in the early hours of Friday.

The married father-of-two suffered severe injuries following the hit-and-run, which involved a black Volkswagen Golf.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “Andy was a hard working and courageous policeman. He served the community as both a police officer and as a Scouting volunteer.

“The night he was injured, he was doing a job that he loved and we all had every right to expect he would return safely to his home and family – tragically that was not the case.”

Police said a 25-year-old man originally arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury while dangerous driving has now been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Pc Duncan, a member of the south-west traffic unit for nearly ten years, was working on a speed enforcement operation with a colleague when they noticed a car driving at speed along Reigate Avenue toward Rosehill, Sutton.

He attempted to stop the car by signalling for the driver to pull over, but he was struck by the vehicle. The car was later found abandoned nearby.

Pc Duncan joined the Metropolitan Police in 1990 and was originally posted to Battersea.

He transferred to the south west territorial support group six years later before moving to Hammersmith and Fulham Borough after seven years’ service.

Sir Bernard, who is Britain’s most senior police officer, said: “I was so sad to hear that Pc Andrew Duncan died this morning.

“On behalf of the Metropolitan Police family, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his wife and children, parents, family and friends.

“We will continue to professionally and objectively investigate this incident under the oversight of Her Majesty’s Coroner.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact us.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson was among those to pay tribute to the constable.

He said: “Pc Duncan was an officer of vast experience who’d dedicated his working life to the Metropolitan Police Service.

“His death is a tragedy and a reminder of the courage and sacrifice shown daily by the men and women who keep London safe. My thoughts and those of every Londoner are with Andrew’s wife and children at this time.”

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I want to send my deepest condolences to the family of Pc Duncan and to his Metropolitan Police colleagues who I know will be feeling this deeply.

“He was doing a job each and every one of us relies upon to keep us safe, tragically losing his life in the service of others.

“Police officers up and down the country face risks every day. We owe them a debt of immense gratitude.”