Met Officer Daniel Traynor Sacked Over East London Parking Assault

Key Points

• A Metropolitan Police officer, Pc Daniel Traynor, aged 38, was sacked following a gross misconduct hearing for assaulting his neighbour, Joshua Smith, over a parking dispute outside his East London home.
• The incident occurred on November 29, 2024, when Pc Traynor returned home to find a vehicle blocking access to his property.
• Pc Traynor pushed Mr Smith during the altercation, after which Mr Smith punched the officer, leading to both grappling and falling to the floor.
• Police were called to the scene following the physical confrontation.
• Pc Traynor was later convicted of a single charge of assault by beating.
• The misconduct hearing took place in south London on Monday, resulting in his dismissal by Commander Andy Brittain, who deemed his conduct “wholly unbecoming of a police officer”.
• Prior to the physical clash, Pc Traynor made various inquiries to identify the owner and driver of the blocking vehicle.
• A verbal argument ensued when Mr Smith emerged from his property; Mr Smith then approached Pc Traynor’s home to speak with the officer’s partner but received no answer.
• Pc Traynor and his partner subsequently visited Mr Smith’s home, where another argument broke out upon the neighbour answering the door.
• Jennie Oborne, representing the appropriate authority, presented these details at the hearing.

East London (East London Times) January 13, 2026 – A Metropolitan Police officer convicted of assault after clashing with his neighbour over a parked vehicle blocking his driveway has been dismissed for gross misconduct. Pc Daniel Traynor, 38, pushed Joshua Smith on November 29, 2024, outside his East London residence, sparking a brawl that drew police intervention. Commander Andy Brittain ruled the officer’s actions wholly unbecoming, culminating in his immediate sacking at a south London hearing.

What Led to the Parking Dispute Between Pc Traynor and Joshua Smith?

The confrontation began when Pc Daniel Traynor returned to his East London home on November 29, 2024, discovering a vehicle obstructing access to his property. As detailed in coverage from MyLondon, Pc Traynor initially made various inquiries to locate the vehicle’s owner and driver. Jennie Oborne, representing the appropriate authority at the misconduct hearing, explained that these efforts preceded any direct interaction with the neighbour.

Tensions escalated as Joshua Smith emerged from his nearby property, leading to a conversation that rapidly turned into a verbal argument. Mr Smith then approached Pc Traynor’s home seeking to speak with the officer’s partner, but received no response at the door. Undeterred, Pc Traynor and his partner later visited Mr Smith’s residence, where the neighbour answered, only for another heated exchange to erupt immediately.

How Did the Altercation Escalate into Physical Assault?

Physical violence erupted when Pc Daniel Traynor pushed Joshua Smith during the dispute outside the East London property. According to the misconduct hearing proceedings reported by MyLondon, this shove prompted Mr Smith to punch the officer in retaliation. The pair then grappled and fell to the floor in a struggle witnessed in front of the homes.

Police officers were summoned to the address shortly thereafter to intervene and separate the men. Pc Traynor’s subsequent conviction on a single charge of assault by beating stemmed directly from his initial push, as established in court. The hearing panel reviewed body-worn video and witness accounts, confirming the sequence of events on November 29, 2024.

What Happened at the Misconduct Hearing in South London?

The gross misconduct hearing convened in south London on Monday, scrutinising Pc Daniel Traynor’s behaviour in detail. Jennie Oborne outlined the timeline, noting the officer’s pre-incident inquiries about the blocking vehicle and the progression from words to blows. The panel heard how the argument restarted at Mr Smith’s door after the unanswered knock at Pc Traynor’s residence.

Commander Andy Brittain, presiding over the decision, determined that Pc Traynor’s conduct fell far short of professional standards. He explicitly stated that the actions were “wholly unbecoming of a police officer”, justifying immediate dismissal without notice. No additional charges or appeals were mentioned in the proceedings, marking a definitive end to the officer’s career.

Why Was Pc Traynor Sacked for Gross Misconduct?

Dismissal for gross misconduct reflects the severity of Pc Daniel Traynor’s breach of Metropolitan Police standards. Commander Andy Brittain’s ruling emphasised the incompatibility of such behaviour with the role of a serving officer, particularly given the context of a neighbourly parking row turning violent. The conviction for assault by beating provided legal grounds, amplified by the public nature of the incident in an East London residential area.

Jennie Oborne highlighted during the hearing how Pc Traynor’s response—pushing Joshua Smith—escalated a resolvable dispute into a criminal matter. The decision aligns with police protocols prioritising public trust and de-escalation, especially off-duty. Sources confirm no mitigating factors swayed the panel, underscoring accountability for all ranks.

Who Is Pc Daniel Traynor and What Is His Background?

Pc Daniel Traynor, aged 38 at the time of the incident, served with the Metropolitan Police prior to his sacking. Details from the MyLondon report identify him solely through this event, with no prior disciplinary history disclosed in available coverage. The hearing focused on the November 29, 2024, events rather than his service record.

As a Met officer residing in East London, Traynor’s home became the dispute’s focal point, where a vehicle blocked his property access. His attempts to identify the driver demonstrated initial restraint, per Jennie Oborne’s testimony, before frustration boiled over. Post-dismissal, no further public statements from Traynor appear in reports.

What Role Did Joshua Smith Play in the Incident?

Joshua Smith, the neighbour, first engaged Pc Daniel Traynor verbally after emerging from his property amid the parking issue. MyLondon coverage notes Mr Smith approached the officer’s home to discuss the matter with his partner, receiving no answer. This led to reciprocal visits, reigniting the row at Smith’s door.

When pushed by Pc Traynor, Mr Smith punched back, resulting in the grapple and fall. Police attendance followed, though no charges against Smith were specified beyond this mutual scuffle. His actions framed the incident as a two-sided neighbourhood clash over parking access.

Where Exactly Did the Parking Dispute Unfold in East London?

The altercation occurred directly in front of Pc Daniel Traynor’s East London home, where Joshua Smith’s vehicle—or one associated with him—blocked driveway access on November 29, 2024. Front-door confrontations characterised the escalation, from initial argument to the push, punch, and fall on the street. Police responded to this residential spot, underscoring its public visibility.

Precise borough or street details remain undisclosed in reports, preserving resident privacy amid the furore. The East London setting highlights common urban parking tensions in densely populated areas.

When Did Key Events Timeline Unfold?

• November 29, 2024: Pc Traynor returns home, finds vehicle blocking access, makes inquiries, verbal argument with Joshua Smith begins; Smith visits Traynor’s home (no answer); Traynor and partner visit Smith’s home, second argument erupts; Traynor pushes Smith, Smith punches, they grapple and fall; police called.
• Post-incident: Traynor convicted of assault by beating.
• Monday (recent): South London misconduct hearing; Commander Andy Brittain dismisses Traynor.

This chronology, pieced from hearing testimony, tracks the rapid deterioration of a parking spat.

What Are the Broader Implications for Metropolitan Police Officers?

The sacking of Pc Daniel Traynor serves as a stark reminder of off-duty conduct expectations within the Metropolitan Police. Commander Andy Brittain’s verdict reinforces zero tolerance for violence, even in personal disputes, to safeguard public confidence. Jennie Oborne’s panel representation stressed de-escalation as paramount.

Such cases prompt scrutiny of how officers manage everyday frustrations like parking in East London locales. No patterns of similar incidents were linked, but the outcome bolsters accountability measures. Residents and colleagues alike note the irony of police intervening in an officer-involved brawl.

How Does This Case Reflect Parking Disputes in East London?

Parking woes plague East London, where space scarcity fuels frequent rows, as seen in Pc Traynor versus Joshua Smith. The November 29, 2024, blockade of property access mirrors resident complaints borough-wide. Verbal escalations to physicality, though rare, expose vulnerabilities in neighbour relations.

Met Police dismissal signals that uniform offers no exemption from civil laws. Community leaders advocate mediation schemes to preempt such clashes, preventing court and hearing escalations.