The Metropolitan Police’s Violent Suppression Units (VSUs) launched a targeted operation across East London on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 February, focusing on dangerous offenders through weapon sweeps and community patrols. Key hotspots included Ilford, Barking, Ilford Lane, and Valentine’s Park.
The operation involved a large team effort, with support from elite squads such as the Road Crime Team, Firearms Command’s Trojan Unit, Dog Section, Mounted Branch, and the British Transport Police. Multi-Agency Tasking (MAT) units and Redbridge council officers also contributed to addressing local issues directly.
The results of the operation were significant: 13 arrests were made for serious offences including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of offensive weapons, and grievous bodily harm. Seven weapons were seized during ten weapon sweeps. Additionally, drugs, over £5,000 in cash, and seven cars were removed from the streets. Fifty people received Fixed Penalty Notices for breaching coronavirus regulations.
On 5 February, officers stopped a vehicle on Victoria Road, Barking, after it attempted to evade police. The driver was found with a knife concealed in his waistband and fake documents in the car. He was arrested and charged accordingly. Later that evening, an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera identified another vehicle reported stolen. Police stopped the vehicle and discovered the driver was wanted for multiple serious crimes, including burglary, dangerous driving, and drug offences.
Sergeant Nick Hancock of the East Area VSU praised the teamwork involved in the operation, stating, “This two-day operation has been a real team effort across the Met and produced great results, working together to achieve our priority of bearing down on violence. The use of ANPR helped us spot vehicles of interest and stop criminals from using road networks to carry out illegal activity. We’ve arrested high harm offenders and prevented more harm to their communities.”
He added, “Areas plagued by violence and robbery blight local residents’ lives. We are out every day working to make London safer. This surge has helped speed things up. Our efforts will continue throughout 2021. We cannot do this alone. We need the public to come forward with any info, no matter how small. Contact us in confidence or via the independent charity Crimestoppers – it’s 100% anonymous.”
The Met Police urges anyone with information about knife carriers, violent offenders, or those exploiting young people to come forward. Community tips are vital in helping police catch criminals and protect London’s streets. Those with information can call 123 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.
Originally published by UKNIP.
