A police officer who was among the first responders to the 2017 London Bridge terror attack has been dismissed from his post after a misconduct panel found he had used offensive language in WhatsApp messages targeting Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities. Detective Constable Mark Luker, of the British Transport Police (BTP), used terms deemed discriminatory and disrespectful, prompting a gross misconduct ruling. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of police conduct and the use of internal communications.
The misconduct panel heard that Luker repeatedly used the term “pikey” in messages within a WhatsApp group called ‘Selbie Gumshoes’ with colleagues from the Major Serious and Organised Crime (MSOC) team. He also employed the term “dags,” referencing a scene in the Guy Ritchie film Snatch where a character’s accent is mocked, and made references linking the Irish Traveller community to theft. The incidents occurred between December 31, 2024, and March 27, 2025, according to the panel’s findings.
The panel concluded that Luker likely understood the offensive nature of his language. In one message, sent on December 31, 2024, during a conversation about a bottle of whiskey with a security tag, Luker wrote: “Was this a raffle on a certain kind of site? Lots of mobile type homes? Lots of ‘Dags’”, followed by “You are the MSOC pikey liaison.” The panel determined these messages “clearly link the Irish Traveller community to acts of theft.” The Independent reports that the use of “dags” was considered “derogatory.”
Luker defended his actions, stating that he was one of the first responders to the June 3, 2017, terror attack on London Bridge – an event that saw a van deliberately driven into pedestrians on Borough High Street, followed by a stabbing spree in Borough Market. Sky News reports that eight people were killed and 48 injured in the attack, which was later claimed by the Islamic State. He claimed his use of humour was a coping mechanism for dealing with the trauma of that day. The panel accepted that Luker was not “inherently racist,” but found that he “probably would have known that this was an especially offensive use of language directed towards members of a minority community.”
Context of the 2017 London Bridge Attack
The 2017 London Bridge attack was one of several terrorist incidents to strike the United Kingdom that year. The attack involved three perpetrators, Khuram Butt, Rachid Redouane, and Youssef Zaghba, who were shot dead by police. The incident prompted a national review of counter-terrorism measures and increased security protocols in public spaces. The attack remains a sensitive topic in the UK, and the subsequent investigation and trials garnered significant media attention.
Police Misconduct and Internal Communications
This case is part of a broader trend of scrutiny surrounding police conduct and the content of internal communications. In recent years, several UK police forces have faced investigations into the sharing of inappropriate or offensive material within WhatsApp groups and other messaging platforms. LBC notes that the panel’s decision underscores the importance of maintaining professional standards and avoiding discriminatory language, even in private communications. The use of such language can erode public trust and undermine the integrity of law enforcement.
On March 17, 2025, another member of the WhatsApp group shared a video of a “Paddy Day parade on Inishbofin,” with the message: “Just like a Disney World Parade. They know how to put on a show.” Luker responded: “Off to find some scrap metal, lead roofing and cable,” a remark the panel deemed “deliberate and discriminatory” in linking the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community to theft. He used the term “pikey” again on March 27, 2025, which the panel found to be “disrespectful.”
The dismissal of Detective Constable Luker sends a clear message about the unacceptability of discriminatory language within the police force. The case will likely prompt further reviews of internal communication policies and training programs aimed at promoting inclusivity and respect. The focus now shifts to ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future and that public trust in law enforcement is maintained.
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