Naming of the new Serious Crime Group Building, Sutton

Report: 10
Date: 15 September 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

The new PFI development at Sutton is nearing completion. The facility has two buildings; one to accommodate the Borough OCU and the other the Serious Crime Group (SCG). The Borough unit will retain its existing address. An alternative address has been sought from the Post Office for the Serious Crime Group accommodation and it is proposed to name this building 'Patrick Dunne House. '

A. Recommendation

Members are requested to endorse the proposal to name the Serious Crime Group building at Sutton 'Patrick Dunne House'

B. Supporting information

1. The new development at Sutton at present under construction under a Private Finance Initiative is nearing completion. The facility includes accommodation for both the Borough OCU and the Serious Crime Group. The facilities, although being constructed on the same site, are in effect two separate buildings.

2. From both an operational and administrative point of view the Borough OCU has made a case for each building to be given its own identity.

3. It has been agreed that the BOCU building will retain its existing postal address of 6 Carshalton Road, Sutton as the existing Police Station is being incorporated within the new development.

4. The Post Office has been asked to supply a separate postal address relating to the SCG building, which is located on the corner of Chalk Pit Lane and Sutton Court Road. Their decision is awaited.

5. In addition to the postal address, the SCG Senior Management Team has discussed naming the new building and following consultations with the BOCU has suggested that it be named in honour of PC Patrick Dunne who was killed in the line of duty on 20 October 1993. A briefing note from DCI Richardson of the Serious Crime Directorate (South) is attached at Appendix 1.

6. PC Dunne's family has been consulted and is very much in favour of the suggestion.

7. Both the OCU Commander DCS Crofts and Commander Baker have approved the name ‘Patrick Dunne House’.

8. The PFI service provider has also been consulted and has no objections to the suggested name.

C. Equality and diversity implications

There are no equality or diversity implications arising from the issues in this report.

D. Financial implications

None

E. Background papers

• Letter from 7 August 2003 from Sir Ronnie Flanagan

F. Contact details

Report author: Alan Croney, Director of Property Services, MPS.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1

Briefing note application to name a new police building

(Sutton PFI site) after a murdered officer)

Introduction

Shortly after 9pm on 20 October 1993 three men, armed between them with a baseball bat, a Tangfolio 9mm pistol and a Browning 9mm pistol, forced entry into 31 Cato Road, Clapham where they confronted one of the occupants, William Danso, in the communal hallway. Danso was then shot six times, and died later from his injuries. PC Patrick Dunne heard the shots. He was dealing with an unconnected incident at 28 Cato Road, opposite to number 31.

PC Dunne (who was in uniform) went onto the street to investigate the noise as the three assailants were exiting number 31. The man armed with the Tangfolio 9mm pistol saw PC Dunne, took aim and fired - hitting PC Dunne in the chest and causing fatal injuries. The three men walked off laughing toward Bedford Road and from there made good their escape.

Police Investigation

Following a full reactive major enquiry three men were arrested. Charges were levelled against these individuals. However, on the 27 January 1994, the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the charges due to lack of evidence.

The matter continues to be investigated under the command of DCI Steven Richardson, of the Serious Crime Directorate.

About Patrick Dunne

Patrick Dunne was a single man aged 44 who was born in 1949 at Shoreham-by-sea in Sussex. He attended school in Carshalton, Surrey. He had served the public as a teacher for many years prior to joining the police at the age of 40 in 1990.

He served at Clapham Police Station and was every person’s vision of an ideal policeman. He was an officer who was widely respected by all sections of the community, for the work that he did in and around Clapham. His public service then continued as a local Community Officer. This says multitudes about the kind of person he was. The tributes to him from the public in the days following his murder are a testament to Patrick’s qualities.

PC Dunne lived in the Sutton area at the time of his death. His mother and brother still live in the area. PC Dunne is buried in Sutton cemetery as is his father. Every year a memorial service takes place at the cemetery attended by family, friends and colleagues of PC Dunne

DCI Steve Richardson - Serious Crime Directorate (South)

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