Five Met officers taken off duty after weapons find
Five Met Officers Removed from Duty Following Weapon Discovery
London’s Metropolitan Police has taken five officers off active service after a bag filled with firearms and a Taser was uncovered on a street near the mayor’s residence. The incident, reported by The Sun, occurred on Tuesday evening when a member of the public found the bag outside the home of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Public Alert Sparks Immediate Response
A passerby, Jordan Griffiths, noticed the bag on the roadside and became suspicious. He informed his partner before inspecting its contents, then documented the items with photos and contacted authorities. Police arrived within minutes, recovering the weapons and expressing surprise at the find.
“When they arrived, they were really shocked. They looked through the bag carefully and hurriedly took them away,” Griffiths told The Sun.
The police force stated that the bag was likely misplaced by officers on duty shortly before the public located it. The Directorate of Professional Standards is currently investigating the circumstances of the event. Inside the bag were a sub-machine gun, a pistol, a Taser, and ammunition, according to the report.
“At around 21:40 BST, a member of the public called police after finding a bag containing Met-issued firearms and a Taser on a street in south London. Within seven minutes of the call, officers arrived at the scene and safely retrieved the items,” the Met said in a statement.
Sir Sadiq Khan’s office described the incident as concerning, emphasizing the need for the police to prevent similar situations. A spokesperson noted: “The Met must now take all steps to ensure an incident like this never occurs again.”
Security Measures in Place Since 2017
Earlier in 2017, Sir Sadiq Khan had agreed to a full-time police presence, including 24-hour protection, after assessing the risks to his surroundings. This decision marked a shift from his previous stance, as the potential dangers persuaded him to change his mind.
