Police have arrested more than 40 people and seized guns, drugs and knives in an operation against county lines gangs operating out of the capital.
Teams of uniformed and undercover officers used number plate recognition technology to snare suspects on London’s roads.
Backed up by armed units they arrested 46 suspects in the three-day operation codenamed Pandilla.
Ten weapons were seized as well as 22 drug stashes and 20 other illegal items during the operation which included stops in counties bordering London.
The Met teamed up with forcesâ¯including Surrey, Thames Valley, Kent, Hertfordshire, City of Londonâ¯and Essexâ¯Police to work together apprehending criminals using the road networks in and around the capital.
Officers were on the lookout for vehicles linked to county lines, gangs and weapons travelling into areas blighted by street violence.
Coordinated by the Violent Crime Task Force, other teams including armed units and dog handlers took part in the operation.
Acting Inspector Adam Cook of the Violentâ¯Crimeâ¯Task Forceâ¯coordinated the operation in London.
He said: “Now we’ve come out of lockdown it is our absolute top priority to reduce violence and keep our communities safe over the summer period.
“Operation Pandilla was focussed in specific areas where we know violence occurs. Our approach was targeted and led by intelligence coupled with ANPR, allowing us to stop those intent on causing harm to communities.
“Many of those arrested are dangerous individuals who exploit vulnerable people down a path of violence. Safeguarding is at the forefront of our minds and diversionary help and support was offered to every individual who was arrested.
“We know drugs are inextricably linked to street violence and at the heart our policing plan this summer we are directly bearing down what matters most to Londoners.”
