Security Blunder: Police Guarding London Mayor Leave Bag of Guns on Street
In a shocking security lapse, armed police officers assigned to protect London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan are believed to have left a bag full of operational firearms on a public street in the capital. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, has prompted an urgent internal review and the temporary suspension of five officers from frontline duties.
Discovery by a Member of the Public
The bag was discovered at approximately 9:30 PM on a kerbside in South London by Jordan Griffiths, a local resident. According to Griffiths, his pregnant partner initially spotted the unattended bag and grew suspicious. He subsequently took the bag inside his home, where he opened it to find a cache of police-issued weapons.
"It was lucky one of the guns inside didn't go off or else she and our baby due next month could have been shot and killed," Griffiths told The Sun, highlighting the grave potential danger of the oversight.
Contents of the Bag
Griffiths documented the discovery by laying the items out on a bed and photographing them with his phone. The bag reportedly contained:
- An MP5 semi-automatic Heckler & Koch carbine
- A Glock pistol
- A Taser
- Associated ammunition
He immediately contacted the police, who arrived within minutes to recover the weapons. "When they arrived they were really shocked," Griffiths recounted. "They looked through the bag carefully and hurriedly took them away."
Police Response and Investigation
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they received a call at around 21:40 hours and that officers were on the scene within seven minutes to safely secure the items. A spokesperson stated: "We are urgently reviewing the circumstances of this incident and recognise the concern it may cause. At this stage it is believed the bag was misplaced by on-duty officers a short time before the member of the public located it."
An internal review was launched immediately, conducted by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards. The five armed protection officers involved have been removed from operational duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
Context and Community Concern
This security blunder occurs against a backdrop of heightened concern over firearm incidents in London. Notably, it follows the tragic shooting of 14-year-old Eghosa Ogbebo on Lord Warwick Street in Woolwich just days prior, a case in which three males have been arrested.
The proximity of the misplaced weapons to residential areas underscores the seriousness of the error. Griffiths noted that police informed him the bag belonged to one of Mayor Khan's security officers, which aligned with the Mayor's residence in the vicinity. When asked about a potential reward for his vigilance, Griffiths was reportedly told by an officer, "We will give you a bag of sweets," a remark that has drawn criticism given the gravity of the situation.
The Mirror has sought comment from Mayor Sadiq Khan's office regarding the incident. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the full circumstances of how such a critical security breach could occur, with implications for public safety and police protocol.
