A retired Bromley police officer, who was awarded a bravery medal for his part in foiling an armed break-in at a Biggin Hill store, has died.

Ivan King, who was handed the George Medal 64 years ago, passed away at his Yorkshire home earlier this month aged 89.

Mr King, assisted by a colleague, caught a man who had a shot and critically injured another police officer after breaking into Temple’s Stores in Biggin Hill in September 28, 1950.

Bromley borough commander Chris Hafford said: "I am saddened to hear that ex-PC Ivan King has passed away in Yorkshire.

“I have a photograph of the three officers, a press cutting and letters regarding the award of the George Medal on the wall of my office and I find it inspiring.

“The bravery that Ivan King and his colleagues displayed is a fine example of what police officers can be called upon to deal with.”

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PCs McCallum, Ashwin and King in 1951

PCs King, Owen Ashwin and John McCallum were called to the shop after reports people were unlawfully on the premises.

Thomas Temple, a Biggin Hill company director, met the officers on arrival and he and PC Ashwin went into the premises via the back door, locking it behind them.

The other two officers stayed behind to look outside.

One of the men who had broken into the store, William McGuire, raised an automatic pistol and fired at Mr Temple and PC Ashwin but missed.

Later, as PC Ashwin struggled with a second man, David Cooney, who was unarmed, he was shot in the throat by McGuire.

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McGuire, chased by Mr Temple, plunged through a plate glass window into the street as he made his getaway.

Mr Temple returned to help PC Ashwin, who Cooney struck in the face repeatedly as he lay unconscious.

Striking Cooney with a baton, Mr Temple managed to detain him until help arrived.

Outside, PCs McCallum and King managed to overpower McGuire after he attempted to shoot them but found the magazine of his weapon was empty.

All four men were each awarded the medal and a £20 cheque by King George VI in October 1951 for their heroism.

PC Ashwin recovered after three months at Farnborough Hospital.

Two months later, William McGuire, 20, of Bethnal Green was sentenced to 14 years in prison for shooting PC Ashwin.

The judge told McGuire if the officer had died, he would have been hanged.

Cooney, also 20, was sentenced to three years for his part in the break-in.