Five Met officers taken off duty after weapons find
Five Met officers taken off duty after weapons find
A bag containing firearms and a Taser was discovered on a London street, prompting the Metropolitan Police to suspend five officers from their front-line roles. The item, found outside the residence of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday evening. According to the force, the bag was likely misplaced by officers shortly before it was located.
Public discovery triggers police response
The incident came to light when a passerby spotted the bag on a road near the mayor’s home. The individual alerted her partner, who then called the police. Within seven minutes, officers arrived and retrieved the contents safely. The bag included a sub-machine gun, a pistol, a Taser, and ammunition, as reported by local media.
“At around 9.40pm, a member of the public called police after finding a bag containing Met-issued firearms and a Taser on a street in south London,” said a police statement. “Officers arrived swiftly and secured the items without incident.”
Investigation underway
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is examining the circumstances surrounding the discovery. A source described the event as serious, emphasizing the need for the force to implement measures to prevent similar occurrences. “The Met must now take all steps to ensure an incident like this never happens again,” added the spokesperson.
“When they arrived, they were really shocked. They examined the bag carefully and quickly took the items away,” recounted Jordan Griffiths, who observed the scene. He noted the bag was likely left by one of Sadiq Khan’s security officers, aligning with the mayor’s proximity to the location.
Security measures in place since 2017
Sir Sadiq Khan had previously agreed to a full-time police presence in 2017, citing risks to those around him. This decision led to 24-hour protection for the mayor, which appears relevant to the recent incident. The police have not yet disclosed the exact reason for the suspension of the five officers.
