Hedge trimmers find assault rifle as record firearms seized

An investigation has been launched after council workers trimming a hedge in Southwark discovered an AK47 assault rifle.

Officers were called at approximately 11.40am on Thursday (September 29) when the firearm was found concealed in the undergrowth.

The rifle was taken in for forensic testing where it was established that it had been decommissioned.

No arrests have been made so far, but enquiries continue.

Acting Detective Superintendent Nicola Duffy, of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), said: “Firearms – whether decommissioned or not – have the potential to cause fear and harm and I am glad this weapon is now off the streets.

“I would urge anyone who has information that could assist police in removing firearms from the community to contact us.”

MPS Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe recently announced that the force seized its highest ever number of firearms in 2015 as 714 weapons were retrieved.

Figures also show that there were 302 lethal barrelled weapon discharges in the year ending August 2016 – 91 more than over the previous period.

The force is working with the National Crime Agency to target supply routes across the continent from Eastern European countries such as Albania and Lithuania.