Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.
Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.
It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.
Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.
Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.
From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.
Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.
The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.
And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.
Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.
Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.
The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.
Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.
It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.
The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.
It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.
Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.
The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.
Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.
Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.
He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.
"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.
The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.
Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.
Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.
It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.
Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.
Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.
From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.
Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.
The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.
And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.
Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.
Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.
The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.
Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.
It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.
The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.
It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.
Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.
The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.
Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.
Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.
He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.
"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.
The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.
Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.
Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.
It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.
Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.
Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.
From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.
Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.
The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.
And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.
Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.
Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.
The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.
Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.
It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.
The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.
It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.
Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.
The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.
Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.
Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.
He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.
"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.
The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.
Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.
Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.
It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.
Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.
Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.
From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.
Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.
The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.
And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.
Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.
Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.
The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.
Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.
It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.
The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.
It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.
Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.
The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.
Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.
Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.
He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.
"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.
The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.
An extra 400,000 hectares of English countryside will be protected to support the recovery of nature under plans to be announced by Boris Johnson.
The prime minister will make the commitment at a virtual United Nations event later.
He is joining a global pledge from 65 leaders to reverse losses in the natural world by the same date.
National parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and other protected areas make up 26% of land in England.
Mr Johnson will promise that the government will increase the amount of protected land in the UK from 26% at present to 30% by 2030.
The environment is a devolved matter but the government has said it will work with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as landowners, to increase the amount of protected land across the UK.
The prime minister will sign the Leaders' Pledge for Nature, which includes commitments to prioritise a green recovery following the coronavirus pandemic, deliver ambitious biodiversity targets and increase financing for nature.
Mr Johnson will say countries must turn "words into action" and "agree ambitious goals and binding targets".
"We cannot afford dither and delay because biodiversity loss is happening today and it is happening at a frightening rate," he will say.
"Left unchecked, the consequences will be catastrophic for us all.
"Extinction is forever - so our action must be immediate."
World leaders have often come together to strike deals over climate change, but a top level commitment on nature is much more rare.
Environmentalists are delighted - they say nature is in freefall and urgently needs protection as roads, railways, housing and farmland cover the Earth.
But they say Boris Johnson must lead by example. They point out that around half of existing Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the UK are in poor condition, many through lack of funding.
Campaigners say if the UK is really taking nature seriously it must avoid trade deals that damage wildlife.
It must also clamp down on imports of food that have caused environmental destruction overseas - such as beef farming in the Amazon.
Martin Harper, the RSPB's director of global conservation, said the 30% commitment could be a "huge step towards addressing the crisis our wildlife is facing".
"However, targets on paper won't be enough," he said. "Those set a decade ago failed because they weren't backed up by action."
Mr Harper said the pledge must be put into domestic law "as part of a suite of goals to restore the abundance and diversity of our wildlife, in every country in the UK".
Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said it was a "good start" but "a much greater level of urgent action" was needed to put nature into recovery, including rescuing wildlife sites currently in decline.
He said many National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty were "severely depleted of wildlife because of overgrazing, poor management or intensive agricultural practices", while around half of sites of special scientific interest were "in a poor state and suffering wildlife declines".
A colleague of Sergeant Matt Ratana, the police officer shot dead inside a custody centre in south London, has paid a touching tribute.
The Metropolitan Police employee, who did not want to be named, told Sky News he and other staff at the custody centre had breakfast together at work to honour Sgt Ratana - because they all had breakfast with him last week.
Sgt Ratana, 54, died in the early hours of Sunday after being shot at Croydon Custody Centre by a suspect who is currently in a critical condition in hospital after turning the gun on himself.
Sky News has confirmed that the suspect is 23-year-old Louis De Zoysa.
Image:Matt Ratana was a custody sergeant in Croydon who was shot by a suspect
"So many of us are devastated," Sgt Ratana's colleague told Sky News.
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"It's not just me whose heart he touched in the Met."
The man posted photos on social media under the twitter name @ConstableXL - one with a fast food meal on a chair with an All Blacks rugby shirt, and another of McMuffins and drinks bought for the group meal.
More from Matt Ratana
Sgt Ratana was originally from Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island, but had served with London's Met for much of his career.
ConstableXL said he was covering the fallen policeman's shift on Sunday and pointed out that Sgt Ratana, a popular rugby coach, had kindly bought him breakfast last week after thinking he needed a "cuddle".
Covering #SgtMattRatana today. He’d have been day shift with us. I was gonna repay him for breakfast he got me last week... after he tackled me in the suite and said “Come on XL, bring it in, you need a custody cuddle!” ☺️ pic.twitter.com/JoFJD2igh5
He tweeted: "Covering #SgtMattRatana today. He'd have been day shift with us. I was gonna repay him for breakfast he got me last week... after he tackled me in the suite and said 'Come on XL, bring it in, you need a custody cuddle!'"
Sgt Ratana is the eighth officer in the UK to be shot dead in the last 20 years.
Speaking on National Police Memorial Day, the Prince of Wales addressed the annual remembrance service, which honours those who have lost their lives on duty.
Leading the tributes to fallen officers, Charles made his comments in a video message as the ceremony was held virtually for the first time in its 17-year history due to coronavirus restrictions.
Speaking of Sgt Ratana's death, Charles said: "The dreadful incident in Croydon on Friday is the latest heartbreaking evidence of the risks faced by our officers daily.
"I would like to send my deepest sympathy to the families of each of these officers who have given their lives.
"These are losses we can never replace, sacrifices we can never repay, but of which, as a society, we can only strive to be worthy."
PM and Prince Charles honour fallen police
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also paid tribute to the fallen officers who "represent the very best of us".
Earlier, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Priti Patel laid wreaths at the National Police Memorial in the capital as part of the commemorations.
Image:Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick laid a wreath to mark National Police Memorial Day
The level of violence against police has increased in recent years, according to an organisation representing rank and file officers in England and Wales.
John Apter, chair of the Police Federation, told Sky News that his colleagues accepted that policing is dangerous but now some people "want to kick them when they are down and then kick them again".
He said Sgt Ratana's death was "heartbreaking and devastating news for the policing family and beyond".
Image:Louis De Zoysa pictured in a Facebook photo
Speaking about violence against officers, Mr Apter told Sky News: "What we've seen over the past few years is the level of violence which has increased.
"In the 'old days', if somebody wanted to escape arrest they'd assault a police officer and off they'd run.
"But now we seem to have people who will assault a police officer and then kick them when they are down and then kick them again."
Image:Police and protesters clashed in London in June
Mr Apter acknowledged that the silent majority support the police and pointed to a survey during the coronavirus crisis, which said 90% of the public think the policing style is about right.
The Police Federation represents more than 120,000 officers, from constable to chief inspector.
THE Croydon police station shooting suspect has been named as Louis De Zoysa.
De Zoysa, 23, was the man held in a police station custody suite when one of five shots fired from a smuggled revolver cut down much-loved cop Sgt Matt Ratana.
Louis De Zoysa, 23, is suspected of shooting and killing Sergeant Ratana
Sergeant Matt Ratana was shot and killed in Croydon on Friday morning
Cops outside a house being searched in Norbury, South London
The alleged gunman remains critically ill in hospital after the last bullet tore into his own neck in a struggle with the shot cop’s colleagues at Croydon Police Station, South London.
Police were still probing how the suspect allegedly concealed a revolver in his pants after his stop-and-search arrest for possession of Class B drugs and ammunition.
And it remained unclear how the suspect managed to draw the hidden weapon and allegedly shot dead 54-year-old Sgt Ratana when his hands had been cuffed behind his back.
Details emerged yesterday of De Zoysa’s outwardly respectable but unstable upbringing in a large end-terraced house in Norbury, South London last night.
His yoga teacher father Channa, 55, has posted snaps of his supple frame online while his mother Elizabeth is a local Green Party activist and former election candidate.
Louis lives with the couple at their £717,000 house leafy Southbrook Road, Norbury with his Oxford University student brother John and sister Channika.
But neighbours told last night how the De Zoysa’s 28-year-marriage had come under strain - and that police had been seen at the house prior to the shooting.
Sri Lankan-born Channa appeared before magistrates in March 2015, where he was made the subject of a restraining order against his British wife, who worked as an interpreter.
But the order was withdrawn at Camberwell magistrates’ court in March last year, after the pair reconciled.
Neighbours described Louis as “very awkward”.
One said: “I don’t think he had many friends. He was probably a bit of a loner."
The suspect’s father Channa posted Facebook pictures in a bid to boost his yoga business and more snaps of his cycling hobby.
Matt Ratana was a rugby coach and originally from New Zealand
Cops in full forensics suits prepare to the enter a house in London during the investigation
Brother Johnty attended the prestigious John Fisher’s school in Purley and studied Engineering at the University of Oxford.
Another neighbour said: “They were noisy neighbours. They had two dogs who were very rowdy - they used to come out and chase people around.
“Louis was very awkward. He was always to himself.”
Another local added: “The police have been going round there every couple of months.
“The last time was probably two months ago. I’m not sure what it was over.”
Others said the family “don’t really speak to anyone” in the street following a string of rows about their unruly dogs.
Police sealed off Southbrook Road as forensic teams continued work at the family’s home, where the couple have lived for 25 years.
Specialist homicide investigators from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are continuing to investigate the shooting.
Sgt Ratana was the first ever officer to be killed inside a British police station - and his killer’s motive remains a mystery.
But counter-terrorist cops were not involved in inquiries, despite the suspect being flagged to Home Office’s Prevent deradicalisation programme two years ago.
Bosses took no action over claims that he held both extreme Islamist and right wing views after he was assessed to pose no threat.
De Zoysa is said to be autistic and of Sri Lankan heritage.
He was detained in Norwich, Norfolk, at about 2am this morning and brought to a station in south London to be quizzed.
Yesterday morning armed cops raided a farmhouse in Surrey in connection with the shooting.
Officers are thought to have used explosives to blow off the door of a property at Courtlands Farm near Banstead Wood.
A neighbour revealed they heard an explosion just before 6am and saw about 20 police cars.
Cops swooped on four locations linked to the suspect on Saturday, including a house in nearby Norbury.
"The police have been outside the address since yesterday morning," another neighbour told MailOnline.
"All we know is that it's connected to the incident in Croydon."
SUSPECT CRITCALLY ILL
Forensics are checking the gun, while CCTV and bodycams are also being examined.
Deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said investigators have CCTV from the custody suite and bodyworn video from the officers.
Mr Cundy said: “I would reiterate this is a murder investigation not a counter-terror one.”
He added: "We have recovered the gun from the custody suite where Matt was shot and that gun is being forensically examined.
"We also have CCTV from that custody suite which shows the events, and we have body-worn video of our police officers who were involved in the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the suspect."
Matt Ratana had moved to the UK in 1989 to start a new life
Two officers look at the row of folowers for Matt Ratana
Flowers left for tragic cop Matt Ratana
Police said forensic searches at all four locations will be "rigorous" and are expected to take days to be completed.
Mr Cundy said Friday was a "dark and sad day for the police family" and offered his thoughts to Sgt Ratana's partner, family and colleagues.
He added: "Everyone working on this investigation, from the forensic specialists to the local officers holding the cordons, does so with a heavy heart but a determination to find justice for our colleague and his family."
The suspect had been detained in an area of London Road, Pollards Hill for possession of ammunition and possession of class B drugs.
POINT BLANK
De Soyza was taken to the custody centre in Windmill Lane where he remained handcuffed until a door was opened for him to be searched with a metal detector.
"The sergeant opened the door to admit him and take his temperature to comply with Covid rules. But the suspect shot him at point-blank range, " a source said.
They added: "It would appear the suspect has somehow managed to conceal the gun on his body.”
"However, there are rules preventing any intimate body searches on the street. It can only be done when a suspect is booked into a custody suite."
13
The gunman blazed off more shots, five in all, in a fierce struggle in the corridor at 2.15am.
One hit himself in the neck, leaving him critical and under armed guard in hospital last night.
Desperate colleagues battled to save the stricken officer's life.
Medics performed open heart surgery on Sgt Ratana at the custody centre.
He was airlifted to hospital but later pronounced dead.
Cops observe a minute's silence in memory of Sgt Matt Ratana
Crystal Palace and Everton pay tribute with a minute's silence at Selhurst Park
Sgt Ratana was a veteran officer originally from Palmerston North in New Zealand, he travelled to the UK to start a new life in 1989.
The officer had served with the Met Police since 1991 and worked in Croydon from 2015.
He had told colleagues he intended to quit as early as next year, and posted of his excitement at the prospect of “a long healthy life”.
Pals said Sgt Ratana, dad to a grown-up son, 26, dreamed of travelling Europe on his motorbike then coaching at his rugby club in Sussex.
His partner of four years Sue Bushby was said to be devastated and was being comforted by friends.
Her sister Amanda Tessier, a community nurse, told The Sun: “He was a great big friendly bear of a man, one of the loveliest men you could meet.
“He was absolutely dedicated to being a police officer and had almost 30 years of service.
“He knew the dangers of being a police officer in London but for him it was all part of the job. "
Matt Ratana was excited to retire from the force
Officers killed in the line of duty since 2000:
Detective Constable Stephen Oake died during a police raid on a flat in Crumpsall, Manchester, in January 2003.
PC Ian Broadhurst, 34, of West Yorkshire Police, was murdered by David Bieber, 38, in Leeds on Boxing Day 2003.
Detective Constable Michael Swindells, 44, died after he was knifed in the stomach as he and colleagues conducted a search in Birmingham in May 2004.
PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot dead when she and a colleague tried to stop armed robbers in Bradford in November 2005.
PC Ricky Gray was shot in the head by a gunman who then turned the weapon on himself in Shrewsbury in 2007.
PC Gary Toms, 37, was critically injured confronting suspects in Leyton, east London, on April 11 2009. He died six days later when his life support machine was switched off, 25 years to the day after PC Yvonne Fletcher was shot dead outside the Libyan embassy in London while controlling a crowd of demonstrators.
PC Fiona Bone, 32, and PC Nicola Hughes, 23, were murdered by Dale Cregan in Greater Manchester in September 2012.
PC Keith Palmer, who was fatally stabbed in March 2017 by Khalid Masood during the Westminster Bridge terror attack.
PC Andrew Harper died when he was caught in a tow rope and dragged along country lanes after trying to stop quad bike thieves in Berkshire in August 2019.
Mr Rurawhe, a Labour MP in New Zealand, described Sgt Ratana, who worked at the Croydon Custody Centre, as "fearless".
He added: "Matt really loved his job. He knew what he had signed up and the risks involved.
"He was never afraid but he was not reckless either."
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick on Friday night said Sgt Ratana was known as a "big guy" with a "big heart".
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'Gun seller' arrested for supplying firearm that killed Matt Ratana
She said: "A lovely man, respected by his colleagues, officers, staff and of course by members of the public, including, I may say, suspects arrested or dealt with in custody.
"He was very well known locally and he will be remembered so fondly in Croydon and missed there, as well as in the Met and in the rugby world."
New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern wrote on Facebook that she was "incredibly sad" to hear the news of Matt's death.
Emotional memorial held for ‘hero’ Sgt Matt Ratana at East Grinstead Rugby Club after he was shot dead in Croydon police station
