Home
POLICE arrested 33 people during dawn raids in Bexley, Bromley and Lewisham today as part of an investigation into violent and gang-related crime.
Ten people were arrested by Bromley police during raids of homes in Warwick Road in Anerley, The Grove in West Wickham, Gwydyr Road in Bromley, Eldred Drive in Orpington and Star Lane in St Mary Cray.
Arrests were made in connection with a range of violence and drugs-related offences, and everyone arrested was under the age of 20.
In Lewisham six people were arrested on suspicion of offences including possession of firearms, possession with intent to supply drugs and robbery.
Raids were carried out in New Cross, Brockley and Deptford.
Meanwhile, 17 people were also arrested across Bexley borough.
In total more than 140 people have been arrested so far today following raids across the capital.
The operation is the biggest of its kind to be carried out under Operation Blunt 2, the Met Police's drive to combat knife crime and other serious youth violence.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Smart, head of Bromley CID, said: "Today’s action is part of an ongoing and sustained drive by Bromley police to tackle violence against young people.
“We recognise that the vast majority of young people are not involved with violent gangs or groups and we will seek ways of protecting them from the violent few.
“Our enforcement activity will continue to target those individuals who are intent of being involved in violence.”
Commander Mark Simmons, head of Operation Blunt 2, said: “We know that street gangs often play a part in violent attacks on young people.
“Individuals affiliated to gangs are cowardly, acting in packs and using weapons to target and intimidate others.”
He added: “Through intelligence we have identified the individuals we believe are causing the greatest amount of harm.
“We have targeted a number of gangs intent upon causing misery.
“This operation builds upon that work by focusing on violent offenders, some of whom are gang members, with the intention of arresting them for various offences and placing them before the courts.“
Ten people were arrested by Bromley police during raids of homes in Warwick Road in Anerley, The Grove in West Wickham, Gwydyr Road in Bromley, Eldred Drive in Orpington and Star Lane in St Mary Cray.
Arrests were made in connection with a range of violence and drugs-related offences, and everyone arrested was under the age of 20.
In Lewisham six people were arrested on suspicion of offences including possession of firearms, possession with intent to supply drugs and robbery.
Raids were carried out in New Cross, Brockley and Deptford.
Meanwhile, 17 people were also arrested across Bexley borough.
In total more than 140 people have been arrested so far today following raids across the capital.
The operation is the biggest of its kind to be carried out under Operation Blunt 2, the Met Police's drive to combat knife crime and other serious youth violence.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Smart, head of Bromley CID, said: "Today’s action is part of an ongoing and sustained drive by Bromley police to tackle violence against young people.
“We recognise that the vast majority of young people are not involved with violent gangs or groups and we will seek ways of protecting them from the violent few.
“Our enforcement activity will continue to target those individuals who are intent of being involved in violence.”
Commander Mark Simmons, head of Operation Blunt 2, said: “We know that street gangs often play a part in violent attacks on young people.
“Individuals affiliated to gangs are cowardly, acting in packs and using weapons to target and intimidate others.”
He added: “Through intelligence we have identified the individuals we believe are causing the greatest amount of harm.
“We have targeted a number of gangs intent upon causing misery.
“This operation builds upon that work by focusing on violent offenders, some of whom are gang members, with the intention of arresting them for various offences and placing them before the courts.“
