Officer in Hiding After £10k Bounty Put on His Life
Metropolitan Police firearms officer Martyn Blake, cleared of murder in the shooting of Chris Kaba, now lives under armed protection. The 40-year-old was forced into hiding after gang members allegedly placed a £10,000 bounty on his head following the Streatham shooting on September 5, 2022.
Threats and Fear Grip Blake and Family
Since his high-profile trial and acquittal, Blake faces relentless death threats from Kaba’s gang associates. They are reportedly offering cash for information about Blake’s whereabouts, leaving him and his family living in constant terror. His lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, slammed the public naming of Blake, calling it dangerous.
“In nearly 30 years of service, I have never been more concerned about the welfare of an officer or the likelihood of them or their family coming to serious harm as I am about Martyn Blake in this case.” – Superintendent Ross McKibbin, Metropolitan Police
Although cleared of all charges, Blake is now under 24/7 police protection, with armed officers watching his every move. This heightened security could last indefinitely.
Media Blasted for Revealing Officer’s Identity
Many in the police force have criticised the media for exposing Blake’s name before the trial, putting his life at great risk. Some firearms officers even handed in their permits over fears of insufficient protection.
Adding fuel to the fire, the judge recently lifted restrictions on reporting Kaba’s criminal past. It emerged Kaba was a notorious ’67’ gang member from Brixton Hill with a violent history, including multiple shootings—details the jury never heard. Evidence found on the night of the shooting included gunshot residue on Kaba’s sleeve and a balaclava in his car. Just days before, Kaba had flown a rival nightclub-goer’s leg with a bullet.
Calls for Change and Growing Police Concern
Blake’s legal team and police officials warn about the dangers of naming armed officers in sensitive cases. Intelligence confirms Kaba’s gang is actively hunting Blake, paying handsomely for any information on his address or vehicle.
“Martyn is the most professional, diligent police officer you will meet and should never have been put in this position.” – Anonymous firearms officer
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy cautioned that hiding Kaba’s full criminal record risks sparking unrest in London’s already strained communities. Meanwhile, some officers want a new court system for policing incidents, similar to a court-martial, to properly assess life-or-death decisions made under pressure.
A Dark Road Ahead for Officer Blake
Though cleared, Martyn Blake’s life is shattered. The threat from gangs looms large, and safe normality feels impossible. The case sparks urgent questions about the future of policing in Britain, especially how officers can safely do their jobs amidst gang violence and intense media scrutiny.
The brutal reality: firearms officers have seconds to make split-second choices with lifelong consequences. As protests rumble on and debate rages over media transparency versus officer safety, one thing remains clear — the current system is dangerously fragile for those on the frontline protecting the public.
