Five Met officers taken off duty after weapons find

Five Met Officers Removed from Duty Following Weapons Discovery

Public Finds Bag with Firearms Near Mayor’s Residence

A London-based bag containing weapons was discovered by a civilian on Tuesday evening, prompting the Metropolitan Police to suspend five officers from active service. The item, located outside the home of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, was reported by *The Sun*. According to the police, the bag was likely misplaced by officers just before the public stumbled upon it.

Police Investigate Mishap

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is examining the situation. The force confirmed the bag held a sub-machine gun, a pistol, a Taser, and ammunition. “Around 9:40pm, a member of the public alerted authorities after spotting the bag on a south London street,” the police stated. “Officers arrived within seven minutes and secured the items without incident.”

“At this stage, the bag was believed to have been misplaced by on-duty officers shortly before the public located it,” the police added.

Witness Shares Details

Speaking to *The Sun*, a passerby claimed to have found the bag on a road verge. “I became suspicious and informed my partner,” he said. “After inspecting the contents, I took photos and called the police, who arrived soon after.” The individual noted the officers appeared “shocked” upon retrieving the items and “hurriedly took them away.” He suggested the bag might have been left by one of Sadiq Khan’s security personnel.

Mayor Calls Incident Serious

A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq Khan described the event as significant, stating: “The Met must now take all necessary steps to prevent such occurrences in the future.” The mayor previously agreed to a 24-hour police protection plan in 2017, citing safety concerns for those around him.

Security Measures in Place

Since 2017, Sir Sadiq has maintained a full-time police presence, ensuring round-the-clock protection. The recent discovery has reignited discussions about the adequacy of security protocols for high-profile figures.