Seven held in swoop on Peckham Boys gang

They targeted the notorious Peckham Boys in a series of dawn raids. Sources described the men being held as "significant members" and "major players".

Up to 150 officers were involved in the simultaneous swoops at 17 addresses in Peckham, Brockley and Kennington. They also raided properties in east London and Surrey and recovered two samurai swords.

The arrests were part of a clampdown on the Peckham Boys who have allegedly been targeting cash held in gaming machines at high street betting shops, arcades and pubs.

Detectives believe the gang is behind 120 robberies in 17 boroughs between March last year and last month and has stolen more than £150,000. It is thought the gang could be linked to as many as 280 robberies in the last three years. Their spree started with pubs and graduated to bookmakers.

Police believe the gang committed up to four offences a day using knives, machetes, crowbars and long screwdrivers to threaten staff.

During today's operation the Met's Flying Squad was joined by officers from Operation Blunt, which combats knife crime. They were backed by officers from the Territorial Support Group and dog handlers.

At one flat in Kennington specialist equipment was used to smash down a reinforced door and dog handlers had to restrain two pitbull-like dogs who attacked police.

The boroughs the robbers operated in were Lewisham, Wandsworth, Richmond, Hackney, Brent, Lambeth, Southwark-Haringey, Ealing, Newham and Westminster. Community liaison officers are talking to residents about the raids. Detective chief inspector Martin Huxley, of the Flying Squad at Barnes, said: "The gang was highly motivated and ruthless, often carrying out the brazen raids in daylight and putting staff and members of the public in fear of their lives. We hope today's arrests will bring reassurance to Londoners that these aggressive offences will not be tolerated."

The seven men, aged between 27 and 36, were being questioned at central London police stations.