A “LEAK” inquiry is underway to find a twisted prankster who defiled a steam iron at Britain’s busiest police station.
The culprit carried out the distasteful joke in a locker room at London’s Charing Cross nick.
They filled the water compartment of the steam generator iron with urine.
An investigation into two offences of criminal damage has been launched by the Met Police following the discovery last weekend.
One offence relates to the contamination of the steam iron used by officers to press their uniforms before going on duty – which would have left them stained yellow and reeking.
The second crime involves damage to an unspecified piece of police equipment.
CCTV from the fortress-like police station – occupying an entire block off The Strand – is being analysed to pin down the offender.
And weekend shift rotas are also being checked to see who was on duty.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed: “Police are investigating after two incidents of criminal damage that took place inside Charing Cross police station were reported on Saturday, 26 October.
“The incidents took place in an area that is not accessible to the public.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
The incident at the police station – which has the busiest custody centre in Europe – has set tongues wagging among cops and staff.
Retired Met detective chief inspector Mick Neville said: “This has no doubt caused quite a stink.
“A joke’s one thing – but this is taking the ‘you-know-what.’
“The public are often moaning that officers look scruffy on the beat these days.
“But tampering with a steam iron like this would have left them smelling like a gents’ urinal if they’d used it to press their uniforms.”
Mr Neville added: “A leak inquiry at the police station used to mean that confidential information was slipping out to a crime reporter.
“But now it means a hunt to find the officer or staff member who peed into a steam iron in a station locker room.
“Slasher of the Yard needs to be caught as soon as possible – it will be a great relief to everyone.”
