Vigilance can report that a sawn-off shot gun, ammunition, a large quantity of cannabis and various quantities of class A drugs (including heroin and cocaine) are just some of the items seized by Trident Gang Crime Command officers today across London, (Wednesday 8 May), in a day of action against active gang criminals.
Vigilance learnt Officers from the Trident Gang Crime Command and 20 boroughs, assisted by officers from the Met's Territorial Support Group (TSG) and SCO19 Specialist Firearms unit, conducted series of dawn raids as part of the Met's continuing crackdown on gang crime across the capital.
Those targeted yesterday are believed to be active gang members who are suspected of various offences, including possession of drugs with intent to supply.
It is said more than 50 warrants have been executed and so far a total of 10 people (nine men and one women) have been arrested on suspicion for various offences including robbery, kidnap, theft of motor vehicle and possession of class A and class B drugs. Those arrested are aged between 18 and 44. Searches will continue throughout the day and we expect this arrest figure to rise.
The majority of the warrants were executed at residential addresses and all those arrested are said to have been taken to various police stations across London where they currently remain in police custody.
In addition to the shotgun and ammunition a quantity of what was believed to be heroin was seized at an address in Hackney plus a large amount of what was believed to be cannabis was recovered from an address in Westminster.
The 20 boroughs in yesterday's operation have been identified nationally by the Home Office as Ending Gang Youth Violence (EGYV) boroughs - a scheme to combat youth crime and violence.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Haydon, Head of Trident Gang Crime Command, said: "Historically Trident focused primarily on gun crime and homicide within the black community and the recent loss of our murder investigation capability has led to many communities and in particular gang members to wrongly believe that Trident has disbanded."
DCS Haydon added: "This is not the case; a large part of Trident's work is around the prevention of shootings and disrupting gang members' criminal activity. Since April last year Trident and local borough officers have made more than 5,500 arrests against known gang members, with well over half of those arrests resulting in a charge. Our sustained activity has resulted in significant reductions of all gang-related crime types. Our expertise continues to be used, with Trident officers providing support to the Homicide and Serious Crime Command where needed. Trident is not just a logo, it's about having the very best detectives, committed police staff and strong community links. Our remit may have changed but our ethos has not. We are still here, still targeting violent gang members, and for those involved who seek a better life, a life away from gangs - through our partners, community and voluntary groups we will seek to help them into education, employment and a more positive life path."
As a retrospect, in February 2012, Trident re-focused its efforts through a new command leading the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) response to tackling gang-related crime and associated violence including gun crime, regardless of the victim's background. The launch of the new command saw a more coordinated and consistent approach across London with stabbings and shootings among young people falling significantly.
Also, in 1 April this year and in recognition of the significant reductions in fatal shootings, Trident further refocused its efforts on proactivity, and responsibility for investigating shooting homicides transferred to specialist homicide investigators within the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
In 2013, Trident aims to tackle gang criminality in London by effective enforcement, suppression and proactive policing, working with partners to prevent offending and build safer communities.
According to the Met this financial year just finished (2012/13) has seen the following reductions:
Overall serious youth violence has fallen by 28 per cent, equating to 1,931 fewer victims
Knife injuries (on victims aged under 25) have also reduced by 28 per cent, equating to 525 fewer victims
Gun discharges has dropped by 20 per cent, equating to 99 fewer shootings
A Met source revealed Local officers, including those from Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, would be carrying out additional patrols in their wards during the day and speaking with local residents and businesses about today's operation