Six Arrests Made as Officers Seize Drugs in Major Operation
Metropolitan Police officers have carried out a series of raids targeting drug dealing in Kingston and Merton, leading to six arrests. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, focused on disrupting criminal activity on the Cambridge Road Estate and beyond.
Operation Overview
Six properties were raided, including a fast-food restaurant on Surbiton Crescent and multiple residential addresses.
Officers seized heroin, cocaine, and other drugs during the searches.
Six people were arrested—three men, one woman, and two teenage boys—all of whom remain in police custody.
The raids are part of the Met’s Clear, Hold, Build strategy, which aims to reclaim neighbourhoods from serious and organised crime by tackling drug dealing, violence, and antisocial behaviour.
Police and Council Response
Superintendent Josh Laughton, neighbourhood policing lead for Kingston, said:
“Drug dealing is often linked to other offences such as violent crime and antisocial behaviour. By taking targeted action, we aim to reduce offending across the board and improve neighbourhoods.”
Councillor Sabah Hamed, Kingston’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, welcomed the crackdown:
“Kingston is one of London’s safest boroughs, and this work reflects our commitment to making it even safer. We are working with local communities to address their concerns and protect vulnerable people.”
The Impact of ‘Clear, Hold, Build’
The Clear, Hold, Build strategy is a proven crime reduction method, removing criminal gangs, preventing new ones from taking over, and strengthening communities.
In Northumberland Park and Edmonton, where similar measures were introduced, 424 arrests were made, and violent crime dropped to its lowest level in three years.
This targeted approach has contributed to the Met being removed from special measures in January 2025, following improvements in neighbourhood policing, child exploitation prevention, and public protection.
What’s Next?
The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests may follow.
Anyone with information about drug dealing in Kingston or Merton is urged to contact police via 101 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
The Met Police reaffirmed their commitment to working with local authorities and residents to ensure Kingston remains a safe place for everyone.
