More than 170 arrested as police crack down on serious criminals

More than 170 arrests were made during a three-day crackdown targeting serious criminals and to help take drugs and weapons off the streets.

Thirty knives and weapons were recovered, 40 drugs seized, 66 vehicles taken and £5,700 cash retrieved as more than 1,200 officers from seven police forces arrested 179 people.

Operation Pandilla focused on arterial roads and motorways in and around London, including the M25, A406, M1 and A40, and used automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and intelligence to target vehicles linked to violent crime.

The Metropolitan Police led the operation, working with Thames Valley, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, West Midlands and British Transport Police.

Superintendent Emma Gulczynski said: “This operation was a joint effort between seven police forces, sharing proactive intelligence and enhancing existing relationship to target those involved in drug, gang and weapon-based violence.

“Tackling violent crime continues be a priority for the Met and this operation saw officers from Birmingham, all the way to the south coast, working closely to crackdown on those using the transport networks to facilitate their criminal activity.

“Some of those arrested exploit children and vulnerable people to help further their criminality and we remain committed to working with partners to identify people at risk of exploitation and provide them with the wrap-around support they require.”

Officers focused on drug dealing, modern slavery, firearms offences, knife possession, burglary and vehicle and catalytic converter theft.