Nearly 300 arrests have been made and 38 weapons seized during a week-long operation targeting gang violence across London.
Met Police conducted stop and searches, executed warrants and apprehended known gang members in Lambeth and Southwark at the end of July.
Arrests and charges
A total of 297 arrests were made during the week which resulted in 238 charges for offences including possession of dangerous weapons, possession and supply of Class A drugs and attempted murder.
Police carried out 238 stop and searches which led to 40 arrests and conducted 13 weapons sweeps where 38 weapons were seized including knives and firearms.
Response to rising violence
The crackdown was launched in response to rising gang-related violence and several high-profile incidents in Lambeth and Southwark in recent months.
Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who led the week-long operation, said: “This activity is part of an ongoing campaign to drive down violence and make our neighbourhoods safer. That sustained approach is already delivering results, with knife crime down by 18 per cent across Lambeth and Southwark.
“But we know that despite this success, gangs continue to do harm to London’s communities. In recent weeks and months, more families have had to endure the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence.
“We do not want to see another life lost which is why we’re so determined to keep taking robust action.
“Those driving serious violence across London should be under no illusion. We are targeting them relentlessly, and we will use every power available to take weapons, drugs and dangerous offenders off our streets.”
Deployment and investigations
Both plainclothes officers and firearms patrol units were deployed throughout the week to track down and arrest offenders known for carrying the weapons and dealing the drugs that are fuelling organised crime in the area.
On April 21, two people were shot at their home in Tower Hamlets in a gang-related attack. On Tuesday July 28, officers tracked down and arrested a man in Brixton who is suspected of helping the offenders remove evidence from a suspect's flat. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Officers investigating a stabbing which took place on Albert Way, in Southwark, on July 28 arrested the prime suspect in the attack on suspicion of grievous bodily harm just hours after it was reported. The suspect has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
