Probe launched after box of replica guns go missing on way to police station

Probe: The IPCC is investigating after a box of replica guns were lost by officers on the way to a police station
PA
Hatty Collier13 April 2017
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The police watchdog has launched a probe after a box of replica guns went missing as officers were taking them to a police station in east London.

Police discovered the ornamental firearms when they were called to reports of a 70-year-old man collapsed at an address on the Isle of Dogs.

Scotland Yard said the man was pronounced dead at the scene in Mast House Terrace by paramedics after emergency services arrived

Police, who attended shortly before midday on Christmas Day, discovered a horde of replica guns which had been used to decorate the man’s home.

The unmodified imitation firearms were assessed at the scene and made safe before being taken to the local police station.

But when officers arrived there, they were unable to find one of the boxes of firearms, believed to have contained six weapons.

The Met said the Independent Police Complaints Commission watchdog has been informed and is now investigating.

The man's death was not suspicious.

A Met Police spokesman said: “The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards was informed and the matter referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

“The IPCC is independently investigating the incident.”

Associate Commissioner Tom Milsom, who is overseeing the investigation, said: “While the information we currently have is that the weapons are not viable, it is of great concern that they went missing in the first place and that they have not yet been found.

“This investigation will look at what went wrong in allowing the items to go missing and what efforts were made to find them once the officers realised they had gone.”

Anyone with information is asked to call officers at Tower Hamlets CID on 020 8217 3722, via Twitter @MetCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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