Five Met officers taken off duty after weapons find

Five Met Officers Removed from Front-Line Duties After Weapon Discovery

A bag containing firearms and a Taser was found on a London street, prompting the Metropolitan Police to suspend five officers from active service. The item was located near the residence of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, as reported by The Sun. According to the police, the bag was likely misplaced by personnel on duty shortly before it was spotted by a civilian.

Public Discovery and Police Response

The bag was discovered by a passerby on Tuesday evening. Within seven minutes of the call to authorities, officers arrived at the scene and retrieved the weapons safely. The Metropolitan Police emphasized their ongoing review of the situation, acknowledging the public concern it has generated.

“When they arrived, they were really shocked. They examined the bag thoroughly and quickly took the items away,” said Jordan Griffiths, who noticed the bag on the roadside. He described how he documented the contents with photographs before contacting the police.

Griffiths noted the bag’s presence near Sir Sadiq’s home, suggesting it might have been left by one of his security personnel. A spokesperson for the mayor described the incident as significant, stating the force must implement measures to prevent recurrence.

In 2017, Sir Sadiq opted for continuous police protection, including a 24-hour security detail, after assessing the risks to his surroundings. The recent event has reignited discussions about the adequacy of such measures.