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Scores arrested in gang violence raids
15.10.09
Almost 140 people have been arrested in a week-long series of raids aimed at tackling youth and gang-related violence.
Officers across London have been involved in the operation as part of a drive to reduce the number of young people killed and injured in violence.
A total of 137 people have been held for offences including robbery, burglary, assault and crimes linked to firearms.
Police have seized knives, ammunition, guns, £11,000 cash and drugs, including a large amount of cannabis.
At one address in Islington, north London, police discovered a sawn-off shotgun, 9mm pistol and 70 rounds of ammunition.
In Lambeth, south London, officers seized a dog suspected of being banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
In Tower Hamlets, east London, two handguns, believed to be air pistols, were recovered, as well as knives and CS gas canisters.
In north London, officers were amazed to discover a specially adapted ballpoint pen with a 2in blade concealed inside.
Thousands of officers have been involved in the swoop across the capital's 32 boroughs, which comes under Operation Blunt, the Metropolitan Police's response to youth violence and knife crime.
They have been joined by colleagues from British Transport Police, City of London Police and the UK Border Agency.
As well as raids on homes, police have set up search arches at railway stations and undertaken searches of open spaces for weapons stashes.
Commander Mark Simmons, who was responsible for the operation, said many of the raids took place as a result of information from members of the public.
He said: "We know that the vast majority of young people are law-abiding citizens and we are working to keep them safe.
"We are focusing our activity on a very small minority of young people who are involved in violent offending, which is wholly unacceptable to the communities of London.
"Members of the public are sick and tired of this and we are acting on their behalf."
London Mayor Boris Johnson said the operation sends out a message to anyone involved in violence that there is nowhere to hide.
He said: "As seen from the last few days, you will be caught by the police and locked up behind bars.
"The success of these targeted raids has led to violence gangs and deadly weapons being taken off our streets, making London a safer place for everyone."
