Sadiq Khan's Security Officers Under Investigation After Guns Left on London Street

In a troubling security lapse, armed police officers assigned to protect London Mayor Sadiq Khan left a bag containing firearms and a Taser on a street outside his home. The incident, which has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols in place for the mayor, occurred on the evening of March 31, 2026, when a member of the public discovered the unattended bag.

According to reports, the bag was found around 9:40 PM BST by the pregnant partner of scaffolder Jordan Griffiths. She noticed a suspicious-looking bag sitting on the kerbside and, after kicking it to see if it would move, alerted Griffiths. "It was really heavy and didn’t move," she said. Griffiths recounted, "My partner saw the bag sitting in the road by the kerbside and became suspicious. She went over to it and kicked it to see what it might be. But it was really heavy and didn’t move."

Upon investigation, Griffiths found the bag contained an MP5 semi-automatic Heckler & Koch carbine, a Glock pistol, a Taser, and various rounds of ammunition. He expressed his shock, saying, "I could not believe my eyes. I took some pictures as proof of what we had found." He added, "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 described the weight of the bag as so substantial that he initially thought it might be filled with coins.

After discovering the bag's dangerous contents, Griffiths called the police, who arrived within seven minutes to safely recover the firearms. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the rapid response, stating: "At around 21:40 BST a member of the public called police after finding a bag containing Met-issued firearms and a Taser on a street in south London. Within seven minutes of the call to police, officers arrived at the scene and safely recovered the items."

In the aftermath of this alarming incident, five officers have been removed from frontline duties as the Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards conducts a thorough review. The police have indicated that the bag was likely misplaced by on-duty officers shortly before it was discovered. A Met spokesperson emphasized, "We are urgently reviewing the circumstances of this incident and recognize the concern it may cause."

Mayor Sadiq Khan's office has described the situation as very serious. A spokesperson stated, "This is a very serious incident, which has been referred to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards. The Met must now take all steps to assure that an incident like this never occurs again." Khan, who has been under 24-hour police protection since becoming mayor, expressed his concern over the potential consequences of such a lapse in security.

The incident has sparked widespread discussions about security measures in place for public officials, especially in light of recent events in London. Jordan Griffiths raised a valid point about the potential risks associated with such negligence, stating, "There's a crack house nearby, and if someone from there had found the guns, they would have been sold on the street and used for killing people." His comments highlight the potential for serious criminal activity stemming from the mishandling of firearms by law enforcement.

This incident comes at a time when London has faced increasing scrutiny over public safety and crime rates. Critics have pointed to this security lapse as indicative of broader issues within the Metropolitan Police, raising questions about how such an oversight could occur, especially in an area where the mayor resides. Some observers have called for a reevaluation of police protocols, particularly those concerning the handling and transport of firearms.

As the investigation continues, the Metropolitan Police will likely face pressure to implement stricter guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future. The ramifications of this incident may also extend beyond the immediate disciplinary actions against the officers involved, potentially leading to systemic changes in how the police manage security for high-profile individuals.

In addition to the internal review, there may also be public outcry demanding accountability and transparency from the police force. Calls for reform in police practices have been a recurring theme in discussions about public safety in London, and this incident may reignite those conversations.

As of now, the Metropolitan Police are in the process of determining the exact circumstances that led to the bag being left unattended. The findings of their investigation will likely play a key role in shaping future security protocols for public officials and may also impact the public's trust in law enforcement.

In the meantime, Mayor Khan and his team are likely to remain under scrutiny as they address the fallout from this incident. The mayor's office has reiterated the need for heightened security measures, not just for Khan but for all public officials, to prevent any future lapses that could endanger lives.

This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in security practices, especially in urban areas where the potential for crime can be high. The public closely as the investigation progresses and as the Metropolitan Police work to restore confidence in their ability to protect those they are sworn to serve.

As the police continue their inquiries, the hope is that lessons will be learned from this incident to avoid any similar occurrences in the future. The community's safety relies heavily on the integrity and diligence of its law enforcement agencies, and this incident has raised serious questions that demand thorough answers.