A routine police search in London turned into a scene of sheer terror for one officer, who let out a piercing scream upon discovering a fugitive concealed in a bathtub. The dramatic incident, captured on body-worn video, has been released by the Metropolitan Police.
The Shocking Discovery in the Basement
On Monday, 1 December 2025, officers from the Metropolitan Police were conducting a search of a dimly lit basement property in London. The footage, later edited with the iconic theme tune from Netflix's Stranger Things, shows an officer cautiously approaching a bathroom area, torch in hand.
With the room shrouded in darkness, the officer reaches for a shower curtain. As he pulls it back, the beam of his torch illuminates the figure of a man curled up inside the bathtub. The officer's immediate, visceral reaction is a loud scream of fright, a moment of raw human surprise captured in high definition.
Identity and Arrest of the Bathtub Fugitive
The individual hiding in the tub was not an innocent bystander. He was a convicted drug dealer who was actively in breach of a court order, making him a wanted fugitive. His attempt to evade capture by hiding in such an unconventional spot proved unsuccessful.
Following the initial shock, the officer swiftly moved to arrest the man. In a moment of candid humour after the tension subsided, the officer admitted to the suspect, "You gave me the fright of my life, I can't lie." The remark highlights the unpredictable and often startling nature of police work, even for trained professionals.
Implications and Release of the Footage
The release of the bodycam footage by the Met serves multiple purposes. It provides a transparent, first-person view of the dangers and unexpected situations officers can face during operations. The decision to edit it with the Stranger Things music, while adding a viral, pop-culture element, underscores the surreal and frightening nature of the discovery.
This incident led to the successful arrest of a individual who had violated the terms of his court order. It stands as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some will go to avoid justice, and the quick reflexes required of police officers on the front line in London.
