Five Met Officers Removed from Duty Following Weapon Discovery
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that five officers have been taken off frontline duties after a bag containing firearms and a Taser was discovered on a London street. The item, found outside the residence of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday evening.
Public Alert Sparks Investigation
A passerby noticed the bag on the roadside and alerted her partner after growing suspicious. Jordan Griffiths, who spoke to The Sun, described how he inspected the contents, captured images, and contacted authorities shortly afterward. “When the officers arrived, they were visibly surprised. They examined the bag thoroughly and quickly retrieved the weapons,” he said.
“At around 21:40 BST, a member of the public contacted police after locating a bag with Met-issued firearms and a Taser on a south London street,” the force stated. “Officers arrived within seven minutes and safely secured the items.”
The Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards is conducting a review of the incident. A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq Khan emphasized the gravity of the event, stating: “The Met must now implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
Earlier in 2017, Sir Sadiq expressed support for a full-time police presence, which provides 24-hour security, after concerns about the safety of those around him prompted a shift in his stance.
