The Met Unmasked At Charing Cross

The Met Unmasked: A Secret Reporter’s Journey into the Rot at Charing Cross

A new uniform felt crisp and unfamiliar. Rory Bibb checked his reflection, a hidden video diary capturing his thoughts before he left for his first shift. He felt ready. This was, however, no standard new job. For seven months, Bibb held a dual role. Publicly, he was a detention officer at the Charing Cross police station in London. Secretly, he operated as a reporter for Panorama. His mission yielded shocking video footage showing officers engaged in misogynistic and racist behavior, and delighting in the application of force. This operation saw the BBC successfully embed a journalist inside the United Kingdom's largest police force.

A Necessary Deception

Journalists who work responsibly do not make the choice to film secretly without serious consideration. Covert operations involve deceit and trespass, methods that demand justification through a strong public interest case. Before such an investigation begins, there must be a solid basis to suspect misconduct. For the Charing Cross station, one of London's busiest hubs, there was ample reason to believe something was seriously wrong. Its reputation was already in tatters following years of scandals that had rocked public confidence. This was not a fishing expedition; it was a targeted look into a festering wound.

The Shadow of Past Scandals

The station's problems were already public knowledge. A report from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in early 2022 detailed a poisonous atmosphere of misogyny and sexual harassment. It found officers had made jokes about rape. This news broke not long after the murder of Sarah Everard by a Met officer, Wayne Couzens, a crime that horrified the nation. These events triggered a major independent examination of the police service, creating the ethical foundation for Panorama's undercover work.

An Institution in Denial

Dame Louise Casey led an inquiry that concluded the force was plagued by institutional racism, misogyny, and homophobia. In response, Met leaders pledged a significant transformation of its culture, stating that problematic staff had been dismissed. By February 2025, the new commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, publicly declared that citizens should trust the police. Yet, whistleblowers had told the BBC a different story. They claimed the reforms were superficial and that deep-rooted prejudices remained, specifically identifying the Charing Cross station as a problem.

The Man on the Inside

The assignment fell to Bibb, who held a degree in journalism and had a PR background. He applied for the detention officer position online, carefully not mentioning his real employer. Following a successful interview, the 28-year-old was hired. His post inside the Charing Cross station's custody area offered a prime location to witness the internal culture without holding the full powers of a warranted police officer.

First Steps into Enemy Territory

Entering a police station while covertly equipped with recording devices is a uniquely stressful undertaking. For a secret journalist, that building is arguably the most dangerous place to be. The environment was one of near-constant surveillance, not just from the official CCTV, but from the people themselves. Bibb was continuously surrounded by professional investigators, individuals trained to spot deception. This marked the beginning of a challenging dual existence.

Living a Double Life

Bibb’s job as a detention officer was authentic. His responsibilities included ensuring people in custody were provided with food and water and were not harmed. The Met itself supplied his seven weeks of official training, ironically preparing the very person who would uncover its failures. This duality was mentally draining. He had to be a believable colleague, fitting into the station's complex social world, all while hiding his true objective.

An Emotional Rollercoaster

The assignment's strain was enormous. During long 12-hour shifts, Bibb had to maintain constant awareness. The secrecy extended far beyond his work, creating a deep feeling of isolation. To safeguard the mission, he had to mislead friends and family about his employment. He described the experience and its moral challenges as a turbulent emotional ride.

A Culture of Secrecy

A guarded and secretive atmosphere was immediately noticeable inside the station. From the start, more senior staff cautioned Bibb against speaking openly near specific individuals. A fellow constable explained the unwritten rule: when a new person arrives, a professional facade is erected. One had to carefully assess people to determine what was safe to say. This guarded attitude was a major hurdle to earning the confidence required to learn the truth.

Overt Misconduct

Some improper actions were not hidden. Bibb’s own supervisor, Sergeant Joe McIlvenny, was recorded holding forth at the main custody reception. He described his sexual encounters with crude details, oblivious to the frustrated reactions of female coworkers. This overt misogyny showed a shocking assumption that there would be no consequences for his behavior. It was a clear signal that the station's toxic reputation was part of its identity for some.

Whispers Away From Cameras

The officers were, however, savvy about official monitoring. When Bibb asked about a specific event where a detainee was struck, the sergeant became wary. He led Bibb into a hallway, away from the station’s own recording equipment. He then cautioned the reporter about discussing how force was applied while within the main custody area. This moment was crucial. It proved staff were consciously hiding potential wrongdoing.

Beyond the Station Walls

To understand the real culture, the reporting had to continue outside the station. It was obvious the most candid discussions occurred in local pubs where staff would meet. While some may contend that off-duty remarks lack seriousness, the Met’s own regulations apply to conduct away from work. The organization has shown before that personnel who share prejudiced opinions privately remain answerable for their conduct, with some being dismissed for it.

Winning Their Confidence

Breaking into the tight-knit cliques was a challenge. Bibb discovered an effective technique for gaining his coworkers' trust: he mentioned he was considering a career in policing. This common ground made him appear more relatable. The tactic was successful. He was soon asked to accompany another constable on patrol, who later made several offensive anti-Muslim remarks in a pub, providing key evidence.

"Are You Wearing a Wire?"

Others were far more guarded. PC Phil Neilson, another constable, directly confronted Bibb. He asked if the reporter was part of the Met’s internal standards department and, specifically, if he had a recording device on him. The question revealed the paranoia inside the force. Even during a later meeting in a pub, the constable seemed restrained, telling Bibb he was waiting for a more "controversial" remark as a test.

Matching the Energy

When the two met again a fortnight later, Bibb made a deliberate attempt to disarm the officer. He mirrored his energy, laughing at his jokes and appearing to concur with his statements to make him feel secure. The tactic, though uncomfortable, worked. Believing he was among a friend, the constable became more candid, voicing a stream of hateful and aggressive opinions, stating Algerians and Somalians are "scum" and talking of an "invasion".

A Torrent of Hatred

The comments captured on the hidden camera were shocking. PC Neilson was recorded advocating for immigrants to be shot and being dismissive of rape allegations. Hearing such views from an officer policing a global, diverse city was profoundly disturbing. The constable held a role with considerable authority and duty, yet harboured views fundamentally incompatible with his job. The recordings gave a chilling insight into the mindset of some individuals on London's streets.

A Difficult Compromise

To elicit these confessions, Bibb walked a fine ethical line. Gaining the confidence of these men sometimes required him to nod or seem to concur with their offensive statements. It was a deeply uncomfortable position, and watching the footage back, Bibb acknowledged how different it was from his own character. It was, however, a necessary compromise. As he explained, when an officer says they are holding back, a reporter must offer something to gain their trust.

The Good Amidst the Bad

It is important to remember Bibb saw many constables daily. A large number seemed to conduct themselves with professionalism, empathy, and a true commitment to public service. He saw numerous personnel performing their duties as well as they could, often in difficult circumstances. He voiced his respect for their hard work. The investigation was never meant to attack every officer, but to show that toxic, racist behaviour had not been purged from the Met.

The Aftermath

After the investigation, the BBC programme presented its findings to the Met. The response from the commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, was swift. He called the conduct "disgraceful" and "reprehensible," saying the service had initiated a swift and unparalleled inquiry. One staff member and eight officers faced suspension, while two other constables were taken off public-facing roles.

Political Reaction

The entire custody unit inside Charing Cross was broken up, with staff moved to other locations under tight supervision. The revelations caused outrage. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "disgusted and appalled." The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, called the evidence "disturbing." The documentary forced the Met's reform agenda back into the spotlight, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of its promised changes.

A Culture Driven Underground

The investigation implies that the Met's campaign to fix its deep cultural problems has had only a partial impact. Instead of being stamped out, the toxicity appears to have moved out of sight. Officers are more conscious of official scrutiny, but prejudiced and misogynistic views still persist behind a mask of professionalism. The evidence shows that while the police service has made efforts to improve, a major hurdle remains in shifting the perspectives of some people inside the organisation.

The Future of the Met

The Met has passed the programme's claims to the IOPC, which has started its own official inquiry. Commissioner Rowley has promised to use anti-terrorism methods to find corrupt staff, whom he called a "cancer." He committed to fast-tracking dismissals when there is clear proof of misconduct. However, for a public tired of scandals, these pledges may not be enough to restore faith in a force that seems unable to heal its own institutional sickness.