A south east London police officer has been sacked after a bizarre situation saw him meet with a criminal to hand over a pair of handcuffs.

PC Robert Powell, attached to the South East Command Unit, allegedly stop a vehicle whilst on duty in Bexleyheath on December 31, 2019.

The officer detained the group inside for the purposes of a drug search, and handcuffs were applied to one male. But the man fled, still wearing the handcuffs.

A short time later, PC Powell was put in contact with the male by a member of the public.

He arranged to meet the previously detained male, who was still in possession of handcuffs, and provided assurances that the male would not be arrested.

News Shopper:

Following the retrieval of the handcuffs in person, PC Powell then made an incorrect radio broadcast stating that a vehicle had driven past without stopping and that the handcuffs were thrown out of the window.

On Wednesday, July 21, his behaviour was found by a panel chaired by an independent legally qualified chair to be in breached the standards of 'Honesty and Integrity'.

The standards of behaviour of 'Duties and Responsibilities' and 'Discreditable Conduct' were not proven.

PC Powell was dismissed without notice.