Police are targeting a hit list of key players engaged in gangs and youth violence in London.

Detectives have identified 288 suspects they say are responsible for most of the violence in several boroughs in south London.

In a blitz on the gangs, codenamed Operation Alliance, they have arrested 131 of 288 suspects so far. A total of 81 are now behind bars having either been sentenced for offences or awaiting trial.

Fifty are on bail pending further inquiries while 157 are on the run and are being hunted by Scotland Yard.

Police have seized the key players in a number of the most dangerous south London gangs including the Peckham Boys and their rivals the Ghetto Boys from Lewisham.

At least three handguns and ammunition have been seized in one borough.

Senior Scotland Yard officers say that, apart from counter terrorism, youth crime is the biggest challenge facing police in London.

Commander Shaun Sawyer, the head of the Met's Violent Crime Directorate, said the 288 suspects in south London included adults and juveniles. Some are members of gangs and some are not. As well as committing violence, some were suspected of supplying firearms or dealing in Class A drugs. He said: "These are individuals who are not just violent but also causing harm to communities."

He said police had carried out intelligence gathering over several months to identify the most wanted individuals. "We know their names and we know where they live," he said. "We are carrying out a relentless process of arrest and prosecution if we can get the evidence. We are arresting people for possession of cannabis to supplying weapons." Mr Sawyer said detectives would be stepping up operations during half-term - as well as launching a similar initiative in north London.

He said: "Young people now have to take responsibility. If they choose to carry weapons we will target them and arrest them and they face years in prison."

While police admit they are facing difficulties in tackling youth crime they are playing down claims that gang warfare is behind the majority of teenage murders in London. Senior officers fear creating "misplaced kudos" for criminals which could lead to an even greater explosion in the number of street gangs. Last year leaked police documents revealed how 257 gangs had been mapped across London, though police now say they are focusing on 171.

Police claim that most murders have been sparked more by petty confrontations, sometimes fuelled by alcohol.

Police gave details of the operation to tackle gangs after the Standard revealed yesterday that in an eight-month period last year 1,273 children under 20 were injured in gun and knife attacks in London.

Community leaders today praised the Standard for revealing the figures. The Rev Nims Obunge, chief executive of the Peace Alliance and a government adviser on youth violence, said : "If it was not for the skills of the medical teams we would have lost a lot more kids. This shows that there are more cases of young people trying to kill other young people.

"We now have to create a system of mentoring for our young people. The absence of effective parents means that young people become quite violent in their behaviour, they become angry at society."

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