£2.3m drugs seized in crackdown

Sir John Stevens: Arrests send out clear warning

More than 1,000 people have been arrested as part of a major police crackdown on drug dealing in London.

Officers targeted some 700 addresses as part of Operation Crack Down and seized drugs with an estimated street value of £2.3m, including heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.

Firearms, including a semi-automatic handgun, a shotgun, a handgun and a CS canister were also recovered in the raids, which started in January and finished on Wednesday

The raids were carried out over two months

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens said those who dealt in drugs were responsible for causing a "breakdown in the fabric of society" and that the initiative against them would continue.

"The arrests should send out a clear warning to those who deal in drugs that they will be targeted," he said.

"I have already made my pledge to Londoners that there will be no let-up in the Met's determination to crack down on drug dealers in the capital."

Fingerprints and DNA provided important intelligence, enabling officers to link people to premises, as well as people to people and premises to premises.

Commander Tim Godwin, responsible for the Met's crime operations, praised the work of the Forensic Science Service.

Firearms

"Their input has been invaluable in ensuring that officers received added support in terms of training, expert scientific advice and extended laboratory opening hours to enable drugs to be examined quickly," he said.

Mr Goodwin added that the force had been working with local authorities to target drug "hotspots".

As part of the raids several swoops were made in Notting Hill, west London.

The leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, Merrick Cockell, said his borough, like others in London, had a problem with crack cocaine.

"It's horrifying. There's an idea that problems with drugs are only found on estates and rundown areas, but that's not the case in Kensington and Chelsea," he said.

Burglaries

"Often very small flats are being used by up to 60 to 70 people and when they are raided police can find up to 20 or 25 people there.

"These people are coming from outside the area and there's an increase in burglaries and very quickly the whole area can disintegrate."

The Met has also disclosed the results of its anti-drugs advertising campaign, Rat on a Rat, which was launched on 15 January.

The campaign urged the public to call the Crimestoppers number anonymously with drugs information.

The line received 2,425 calls during the advertising campaign, of which 231 were actionable, including 153 relating to drugs intelligence, Sir John said.

During the two weeks proceeding the advertising campaign, Crimestoppers received 865 calls - but only 77 were actionable, and included only 27 calls about drugs.