Five Met Officers Removed from Frontline Duties After Weapons Bag Left Outside Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Home

 

Five Metropolitan Police officers have been taken off frontline duties after a bag containing Met-issued firearms, ammunition, and a Taser was left on a street outside London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s family home in south London.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a member of the public discovered the holdall on a kerbside in the Clapham area, around 9:40pm. The finder, a scaffolder named Jordan Griffiths, contacted police immediately. Officers arrived within seven minutes and safely recovered the items.27c126

Reports indicate the bag contained a Heckler & Koch submachine gun, a Glock pistol, a Taser, and ammunition. It is believed to have been misplaced by armed protection officers assigned to guard the mayor shortly before it was found.07ef7e

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that its Directorate of Professional Standards has launched an urgent review into the circumstances. A force spokesperson said: “Five officers have been removed from frontline duties while these enquiries remain ongoing.” At this stage, it is understood the bag was left by on-duty officers a short time before the public discovery.0e6cbc

Griffiths, who found the bag, expressed disappointment, telling media outlets that the mayor’s security team had “let everyone down.” He added that he was informed the items belonged to one of Khan’s protection officers, which aligned with the location near the mayor’s residence.be839c

A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan described the incident as “very serious” and confirmed it had been referred to the Met’s professional standards body for investigation.

The lapse has drawn criticism from politicians and commentators, with questions raised about security protocols for the mayor, who receives armed protection due to ongoing threats. Khan has previously spoken about the strain that police protection places on his family life.

No arrests have been made, and there is no suggestion of any criminal intent or external involvement. The investigation is focusing on how the equipment was misplaced by the protection team.

The Metropolitan Police has not released further details about the specific weapons or the officers involved, citing the ongoing internal inquiry.