Encountered the police in London (3)

I believe the answer is:

met

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This might be a double definition.

'encountered' is the first definition.
('meet' can be a synonym of 'encounter')

'police in london' is the second definition.
'met' can be an answer for 'police' (London Metropolitan Police). I'm not certain of the 'in london' bit.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for met that I've seen before include "gathered together" , "Encountered by chance or arrangement" , "Came across - police in London" , "Opera company" , "London police (abbr) - New York Museum of Art (abbr)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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