Police skipped duty to see Blaine
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Thousands have turned out to see Blaine.
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LONDON, England -- Ten British police officers may face disciplinary action after they abandoned their street patrol to watch American illusionist David Blaine.
The officers were supposed to be on night duty in Newham, east London, when they sneaked off to see the magician.
Their shift ran from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. but -- still dressed in full uniform -- they left their patch at 4 a.m. to find Blaine in his suspended glass box next to London's Tower Bridge.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard told the UK Press Association: "We are disappointed that they were not patrolling the streets of Newham. As part of out inquiry we will be considering disciplinary action."
Newham Borough superintendent Roger Smalley told PA: "We are totally committed to providing the people of Newham with the type of professional service that they expect from us.
"This incident was clearly unacceptable an appropriate action will be taken. It was a silly thing to do really as they should not have been there.
"For the main, they were young inexperienced officers who have learned their lesson from the embarrassing coverage."
Police have already announced that Blaine will be asked to pay the considerable cost of policing the act once it ends.
With two days to go before completing his challenge, Blaine was battling with palpitations and breathing difficulties on Friday. (Full story)
