Five Met officers taken off duty after weapons find

Five Met Officers Temporarily Suspended After Weapon Bag Discovery

A bag containing firearms and a Taser was found on a London street, prompting the Metropolitan Police to remove five officers from frontline duties. The discovery occurred on Tuesday evening, reported by The Sun, near the residence of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. The force stated that the bag was likely misplaced by on-duty personnel shortly before it was spotted by a member of the public.

Public Alert Leads to Quick Recovery

According to the police, the bag was identified by a member of the public at approximately 9:40pm. Within seven minutes, officers arrived and retrieved the items safely. The force emphasized its ongoing investigation into the incident, acknowledging the public concern it has generated.

“When they arrived, they were really shocked. They looked through the bag carefully and hurriedly took them away,” said Jordan Griffiths, a passerby who spotted the bag on the road. He added that after inspecting the contents, he photographed the items before contacting authorities.

Griffiths noted the bag was likely left by one of Sir Sadiq Khan’s security officers, as the mayor’s home is nearby. A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq described the event as serious, urging the Met to implement measures to prevent similar occurrences. In 2017, the mayor had agreed to full-time police protection after concerns about personal safety led him to reconsider his stance on public security.

The Directorate of Professional Standards is currently assessing the incident. The Met has not disclosed further details about which officers were affected or the exact circumstances of the bag’s placement. The case highlights the importance of accountability in law enforcement, particularly regarding the handling of equipment.