Five Met Officers Removed from Duties After Weapons Found Near Mayor's Home

Five Metropolitan Police officers have been taken off front-line duties after a bag containing a sub-machine gun, a pistol, a Taser, and ammunition was discovered by a member of the public in south London. The force confirmed that the bag, believed to have been misplaced by on-duty officers, was found on Tuesday evening.

Reports indicate the discovery was made outside the residence of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. A member of the public alerted police at approximately 21:40 BST, with officers arriving within seven minutes to recover the items.

Investigation Underway

The Metropolitan Police stated, "We are urgently reviewing the circumstances of this incident and recognise the concern it may cause." The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards is conducting a thorough review to ascertain the exact details leading to this serious lapse.

A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq Khan described the incident as grave, emphasising that the Metropolitan Police must ensure such an event "never occurs again."

This incident raises significant questions regarding the handling of police-issued equipment and security protocols, especially given the proximity to a high-profile public figure's residence. The investigation will focus on understanding how these weapons came to be left unattended and what measures will be implemented to prevent future occurrences.