30 Years On: Cold Case of Hero Cop Stabbed in Covent Garden
DC Jim Morrison was off duty when he was fatally stabbed after a struggle with a suspected bag thief in Covent Garden on 13 December 1991. The 26-year-old officer, known for his fearless approach to street crime, was trying to stop a group targeting women’s handbags in the West End.
Despite multiple arrests and international leads, Jim’s killer remains free. Now, police are offering a reward for information that could finally crack the case.
Hero Cop Killed After Chasing Bag Snatcher
On the night of the attack, Jim had been at the Nell Gwynne pub before heading home. A group of bag snatchers had recently been terrorising the area, with a bag stolen earlier from the Maple Leaf pub in Maiden Lane.
Shortly after 10pm, Jim got into a struggle with a suspect near the London Transport Museum. The man broke free, but Jim chased him through the streets unarmed and in plain clothes, desperate to make an arrest. The chase ended in tragedy when Jim was stabbed, and the attacker fled.
Witnesses described the suspect as Algerian or North African, about 5ft 10in tall, aged 27-30, clean-shaven with dark, collar-length curly hair. He wore a tan or brown leather jacket.
Calls for Help from Community and Abroad
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick paid tribute to Jim’s bravery:
“Jim Morrison was a talented and dedicated officer who lived and worked in Westminster. He always put in extra effort to serve his community, inspiring his colleagues. Officers have never stopped working to bring his killer to justice.”
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Reeves, leading the investigation, urged the North African community and anyone with knowledge from the West End in 1991 to come forward.
“Jim died protecting the public. He wasn’t on duty, yet he chased a violent offender risking his own life. We believe people still hold vital information. Even if you’re now abroad, your tip could be the breakthrough we need.”
Leads have been pursued across Germany, Belgium, Canada, France, and Ireland, but the case is still unsolved.
How You Can Help Bring Justice
The Met continues to review this unsolved homicide every year. If you have any information, no matter how small, you are urged to get in touch:
- Call the incident room on 020 8785 8267
- Submit tips online at the Met’s portal
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Jim’s family and friends have never stopped hoping for justice. Thirty years later, the hunt for his killer goes on.
