A police officer and seven members of staff at Lewisham Police Station have fallen ill after coming into contact with a substance believed to be tear gas.

On March 16, an officer and two police staff received treatment after becoming unwell in the custody suite of Lewisham Police Station. 

They were in the process of dealing with three people in custody who were believed to have been sprayed with a substance, known as a form of CS, during an aggravated burglary in Wricklemarsh Road, Blackheath.

The custody suite was temporarily closed as a precaution.

At about 6.30pm on the same day, five members of staff also received treatment after becoming unwell with the same symptoms.

The custody suite has now been closed and all detainees were moved to other south London police stations.

At this stage, the two incidents are being linked.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “On the morning of Saturday, 16 March, a police officer and two members of police staff received medical treatment after becoming unwell in the custody suite at Lewisham police station.

“They were in the process of dealing with three detainees who are believed to have been sprayed with a substance, believed to be a form of CS, during an aggravated burglary.

“The custody suite was temporarily closed as a precaution.

“At about 18:30hrs on the same day, five members of staff required medical treatment after becoming unwell with the same symptoms.

“The custody suite has been closed and all detainees moved to other south London police stations.

“At this stage, the two incidents are being linked.”