Over 500 gang-related arrests by MPS

A total of 515 gang-related arrests have been made (as of Monday February 20) and huge amounts of weapons, drugs and cash seized as a result of raids led by the newly-formed Trident Gang Crime Command in London.

Two hundred and fifty four of those arrested were charged during the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) three-day operation across the capital – that involved almost 5,000 officers and staff, with a variety of offences ranging from GBH and possession of firearms to violent disorder and assault.

A further 186 suspects have been bailed pending further investigation, while 17 others received cautions. Eight penalty notices, one final warning, and three reprimands were also issued. 14 per cent of those arrested (47 offenders) had no further action taken against them.

A large number of weapons were seized including 14 guns, 37 knives and other bladed articles and 25 other weapons including CS canisters, a cross bow, a Samurai sword, 17 coshes/metal bars and one dangerous dog.

Firearms included a sawn-off shot gun, eight hand guns (two semi-automatic), three imitation firearms, a Taser and a gas-powered gun.

In addition, officers seized a huge haul of drugs, including half a kilo of crack/cocaine in Southwark, 67g of heroin in Lewisham (with a street value of approximately £3,500) and uncovered four cannabis factories.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Cundy, commander for the new Trident Gang Crime Command, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the carefully planned three days of operations have yielded such excellent results. The number of arrests and seizures of firearms sends a clear message to those who persist in gang violence that we will pursue them relentlessly, using all the options at our disposal.

“But I would reiterate that we want to prevent young people getting involved in gang offending. We are working with other agencies to offer them routes out, such as the conflict resolution service we can refer people to, as well as other types of assistance from other statutory and voluntary partners.

“These results give us a valuable basis for moving forward in our intention of reducing gang crime and improve community support for what we want to achieve, namely protecting some of our most vulnerable victims and communities in London.”

In Bexley, 50 tennis ball-sized packets of crack, two large compressed cases of skunk cannabis, 1kg of heroin and £10,000 in cash were seized, while in Brent 668 mature cannabis plants were found. In Wandsworth, crystal meth was seized from a property along with a Taser. In excess of quarter of a million pounds cash was also recovered – £254,000, as well as more than 25 vehicles, including a £40,000 Mercedes.

As part of the operation, top gang member targets in all 32 boroughs were visited. Meanwhile, other deployments included: 17 automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) operations – including two armed; 470 weapons sweeps; 29 knife arches; covert operations including directed stop and search; and high visibility patrols outside secondary schools across 13 key boroughs.

The new Trident Gang Crime Command is made up of 1,000 officers who are involved in the setting up of dedicated gang taskforces in 19 key boroughs, working with their partners to implement diversion and prevention activities. The operations are overseen by a central ‘hub’ which coordinates all activity.