Cannabis Factory Closed During Gangbusting Dawn Raids

Eight gang members have been arrested during a series of dawn raids by the Trident Gang Crime Command – resulting in the closing of a cannabis production factory.

Police also seized crack cocaine, an air pistol and a stolen Blackberry during the operation in the boroughs of Westminster and Brent.

The new unit is an offshoot of Operation Trident – which investigates violent black-on-black crime - and was assisted by the Met’s Territorial Support Group.

Seven search warrants were simultaneously executed at 6.00am and involved a total of 120 officers.

They were targeting gang members involved in robbery, drug supply, assaults and looting during last summer’s riots.

All warrants were served at residential homes, with five arrests in Brent and three in Westminster.

All those arrested were aged between 16-24 years and were taken to north and central London police stations.

Offences range from assault to possession with intent to supply drugs. 



During one of the warrant searches in Westminster, officers recovered a Blackberry mobile phone, which was snatched in a knifepoint robbery the previous day.

Two suspects matching the victim's description have since been arrested for that offence as a direct result of the raids.



Detective Chief Inspector Tim Champion, from the Trident Gang Crime Command, is confident this renewed approach will change lives and improve communities for the better.

He said: “By successfully removing the negative role models and their gang associates within the local community we are hoping to prevent young people from joining gangs in the first place.



“There is nothing cool about being in prison it is not a positive experience.

“There is nothing trendy about having a criminal record. It only makes it harder to get a job or into further education.

“There is nothing untouchable about being involved in violence and crime. It can lead to getting arrested, sent to prison, seriously injured or even killed.



"We cannot of course tackle gang violence alone. We are working with partners and agencies to offer ways out of gangs and divert young people away from what can become a very destructive path.”



Safer Neighbourhoods patrols were stepped around the addresses targeted in Westminster and Brent and weapons sweeps continued in communal areas following the raids this morning.



Chief Inspector Louis Smith of the Westminster Task Force believes the partnership work his officers are continuing to perform will help change perceptions.

He said: “I can assure the residents of Westminster and Brent that we work tirelessly alongside the Trident Gang Command to bring those responsible to justice as swiftly as we can.



“We are involved in a number of high profile activities including targeted enforcement, youth diversion and engagement with young people in schools and the wider community in Westminster and Brent.

“Together with partners we will continue to work to address the attitudes and culture that create negative influences, gang involvement and weapon carrying.”



If you have any information about gang crime or those involved call Crimestoppers - an independent charity - anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.