Police and the Justice Secretary have expressed their condolences after a policeman was fatally shot in a London police station.

Robert Buckland, South Swindon MP and Justice Secretary, said he was shocked and saddened by news of the officer’s death.

He tweeted: “My thoughts are with the officer's loved ones, colleagues and the wider police community.”

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “The sincere condolences of all of us across Wiltshire Police goes out to the family of the officer, the colleagues and friends across the Met. Another tragic loss of life for the police service. Rest in peace.”

Angus Macpherson, police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, added: “Devastating news coming from the Met this morning. No officer should go to work and not return, my thoughts are with the officer's family, friends and colleagues. The impact of this will be felt wholeheartedly by policing colleagues across the country.”

The Metropolitan Police said the officer died in hospital after being shot by a man he was trying to detain at Croydon custody centre in south London during the early hours of Friday.

A 23-year-old man detained at the scene was also taken to hospital with a gunshot wound and remains in a critical condition, police said.

The force said no police firearms were discharged during the incident.

Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which one of our colleagues has lost his life in the most tragic circumstances. My heart goes out to his family, direct colleagues and friends.”