Five Met officers taken off duty after weapons find

Five Met Officers Removed from Duty Following Weapons Discovery

Metropolitan Police officers were temporarily reassigned after a bag containing firearms and a Taser was found on a London street, authorities confirmed. The item, uncovered by a civilian on Tuesday evening, was located near the residence of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, according to The Sun. The police force stated that the bag was likely misplaced by active officers just before its discovery by the public.

The Directorate of Professional Standards is conducting an investigation into the incident. Inside the bag, police identified a sub-machine gun, a pistol, a Taser, and several rounds of ammunition, as per reports. The Met added that officers arrived at the scene within seven minutes of the call and secured the weapons without incident.

Public Alert and Officer Reaction

A bystander, Jordan Griffiths, recounted finding the bag on the roadside and raising suspicion. After inspecting its contents, he photographed the items before contacting the police. “When they arrived, they were really shocked. They examined the bag thoroughly and quickly retrieved the weapons,” he shared with the Sun.

“Sir Sadiq’s team confirmed the bag was left by one of his security officers, which aligns with the location,” Griffiths noted.

Mayor’s Response and Historical Context

A Met representative described the incident as significant, emphasizing the need for measures to prevent future occurrences. Sir Sadiq’s spokesperson echoed this, stating, “The Met must now take all steps to ensure an incident like this never happens again.”

In 2017, Sir Sadiq opted for round-the-clock police protection after safety concerns around his residence grew. The current event has reignited discussions about the security protocols in place for high-profile figures in London.