An officer entrusted with protecting the Royal family has been arrested after bullets were found hidden in personal police lockers on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
The officer was part of the Royal Protection unit, an elite branch of London’s Metropolitan Police Service which has a dedicated police station on palace grounds.
Scotland Yard is now questioning the officer after 9mm ammunition was found in personnel lockers at the station. The bullets are believed to be from the Metropolitan Police’s own supplies.
The officer was arrested at his home on suspicion of misconduct in public office and unlawful possession of ammunition. Misuse of bullets is a serious breach of police protocol and a potential criminal offence.
It is reported that investigators are considering the possibility that the officer deliberately placed the ammunition in colleagues’ lockers in a bid to discredit them.
The officer reportedly works in a protection role although does not guard any individual member of the Royal family.
