Criminals hit in police raids
‘LARGE SCALE OPERATION’ ACROSS HILLINGDON, EALING AND HOUNSLOW RESULTS IN 39 ARRESTS AND DRUGS, WEAPONS AND CASH SEIZED
A “LARGE scale” policing operation to reduce crime in Hounslow, Hillingdon and Ealing has resulted in 39 people being arrested.
As a result of Operation Perigree, more than £2,000 in cash was found, while 50 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, as well as 50 wraps of cannabis, was also seized.
Three knives were recovered after 14 weapon sweeps were carried out.
The 39 individuals were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including burglary, robbery, rape, possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, GBH, and ABH.
It was part of a two day operation carried out to “reduce violent crime” on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the operation involved a number of officers, including West Area Basic Command Unit local officers, West Area Gangs Unit, West Area Violence Suppression Unit and Territorial Support Group (TSG).
Officers carried out a range of activities, including arrest enquiries, search warrants, patrols and weapons sweeps in hot spot areas, as well as using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technol technology to target vehicles believed to be linked to violent crime.
Officers also conducted various youth engagement activities, including telephone discussions with eight youths, offering assistance and signposting to relevant support, and engagement visits with seven high-risk youths, where officers highlighted various diversionary opportunities and charities.
Knife crime awareness and intervention sessions will take place in the coming weeks.
Detective Inspector Andy Thrower, who led the operation, said: “This was a proactive operation which not only focused on e enforcement, but also prev vention and engagement; e elements which are all in integral in reducing violent crime crime.
“We’ve had fantastic results, with 39 individuals arrested, as well as a quantity of drugs and cash being recovered. We have also discovered important intelligence which may lead to further arrests, and is currently being investigated by detectives.
“I hope this showcases to the local community that we will not tolerate dangerous criminality and will bring those involved to justice.
“I would like to thank all those who took part in the operation, who showed their unwavering dedication to reducing violent crime, arresting dangerous individuals, and making the area a safer place to live.”