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252 arrests as police tackle youth violence
19.10.09
More than 250 people were arrested during a week-long series of raids aimed at tackling youth and gang-related violence.
Officers across London were involved in an operation to drive down the number of young people killed and injured in violence.
A total of 252 people were held for offences including robbery, burglary, assault and crimes linked to firearms.
Police seized 12 guns, knives, ammunition, thousands of pounds in cash and drugs, including a large amount of herbal cannabis.
Commander Mark Simmons, who was responsible for the operation, said about a third of those arrested have been charged.
He said officers discovered a stash of 20 knives on one estate, evidence of the rising trend of criminals attempting to avoid being caught with a weapon.
Mr Simmons added: "We are talking about a small minority of young people, people changing tactics as a result of our involvement."
Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said a lot of support remains for "intrusive" tactics including stops and searches.
He said the tactic of stashing knives away for use is something officers saw in Merseyside during a crackdown on gun crime during the 1990s.
Sir Paul said police are involved in "suppressing" youth violence but other organisations must also act to divert youngsters from crime.
The Scotland Yard chief said: "I do not think the police should be leading social engineering."
Reader views (1)
There have been apologists among commentators for the high levels of crime in London, citing past years of London gang culture. What they, and our political class are complacent enough to ignore and sweep under the carpet, is the fact that child and youth crime with violent weapons, has exploded to figures never seen before. Unless tackled with intention to stop the escalation, we condemn more youngsters to be caught up in criminal lifestyles. Condemn some even to a life cut short.
- Anna, London
