Encountered the police in London (3)

I believe the answer is:

met

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This clue 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 am unsure 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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