PC dismissed for failing to store knife and ammo

An officer has been dismissed by Sussex Police after failing to properly store ammunition and a knife seized at Gatwick Airport.

Oliver Kirkup, formerly a police constable serving at the airport, was found to have failed to process and store ammunition.

A disciplinary hearing on 20 July also found that Kirkup had not correctly recorded a seized butterfly knife from the airport, and that both allegations, dating between July and August 2024, amounted to gross misconduct.

Kirkup will also be banned from returning to policing in the future.

Superintendent Fash Mohammadi said: "The actions of this officer on these occasions were not in line with the values and standards that we expect, lacking honesty and integrity.

"All staff are aware of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, and the force remains committed to holding officers to account where they fall below the high standards the public rightly expect."

Kirkup was also accused of not wearing his uniform hat and falsely stating that the replacement hat he ordered had been received, but this was not proved.

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