Loaded police gun found in cafe

A police firearms officer left a gun in the toilets of a coffee shop where it was found by a member of the public, the Metropolitan Police (Met) has said.

The loaded firearm was left inside a branch of Starbucks in Edgware Road, central London, last Friday.

The female officer concerned has now been removed from operational duties while an investigation is carried out.

The pistol was linked to her when police compared its serial number with those logged at a police armoury.

A Met Police spokesman said: "A police-issue firearm was left unattended in a central London cafe on 29 August and was found by a member of the public.

"The weapon belongs to a Metropolitan Police authorised firearms officer who was on duty at the time."

An investigation is being carried out by the force's Directorate of Professional Standards.