Female security guard in critical condition after being assaulted by male prisoner

The prisoner custody officer is understood to have been assaulted as she escorted the man between the premises and a van parked outside

A female security guard is in critical condition in a London hospital after she was assaulted by a male prisoner.

Detectives from the Metropolitan police’s homicide and major crime command are investigating the incident, which occurred at around 1.35pm on Monday, as she escorted a prisoner out of a London courtroom.

The prisoner custody officer – believed to be in her 50s – is understood to have been assaulted as she escorted the man between the premises and a van parked outside.

London’s air ambulance attended the scene and the victim was treated at the scene before being taken to an east London hospital.

The woman, who works for outsourcing company Serco, remains in critical condition and her next of kin have been informed.

A 22-year-old man was in custody at a south London police station.