Five officers from the Metropolitan Police have been taken off active duty after a serious mistake involving weapons near the home of Sadiq Khan.

The incident happened in south London when a member of the public discovered a bag containing firearms left on the street. The bag reportedly included a semi-automatic carbine, a pistol, a Taser, and ammunition. Shocked by what he saw, the man quickly contacted the police, who arrived within minutes to secure the weapons.

According to police statements, the bag is believed to have been accidentally left behind by armed officers assigned to protect the mayor. Authorities confirmed that the weapons were safely recovered and no harm was done, but the situation has raised serious safety concerns.

An internal investigation has now been launched to understand how such an error occurred. Officials have described the incident as highly concerning, emphasizing the need for strict handling of firearms, especially in public spaces.

A spokesperson for the mayor called the situation “very serious” and stressed that steps must be taken to prevent anything similar from happening again. The officers involved will remain off duty while the investigation continues.