'Secret squad' tracks hitmen

Police believe Toni-Ann was shot as she fled her father's killer

The Metropolitan Police has lifted the lid on a secret squad of 30 detectives who track contract killers and those involved in major drugs and firearms trafficking.

Detective Chief Superintendent Sharon Kerr said the existence of the elite Special Projects Unit was being confirmed to reassure Londoners the battle against gun crime was being won.

It follows the death of seven-year-old Toni-Ann Byfield at a north-west London bedsit on Sunday - thought to have been shot to stop her identifying her father's killer.

Based at a secret location, the unit was formed eight years ago to hunt down underworld hitmen.

It has recently been used to stop contract killings in the Green Lanes area of north London following gang violence which erupted in November 2002.

Met's 'most sensitive' unit

Over the past 18 months, the unit claims to have been involved in 27 investigations, stopped murder attempts on 35 people and seized drugs worth £19m and £2m cash.

Ms Kerr, head of the Flying Squad, said: "It's the most sensitive unit within the Met and the cases they have been involved in have not always entered the public domain because of the sensitive nature of their work.

"They are up against the most violent criminals in London."

She said the unit had never lost a case in court.

Our guys are like pitbulls Detective Chief Inspector Martin Molloy

It includes undercover and firearms officers - one of the few units outside the Met's S019 firearms squad to carry guns - and is on 24-hour standby.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Molloy, who heads the unit, said: "To get on to the projects team is very difficult and we only select the best officers.

"Our guys are like pitbulls, they will go after every aspect to find out everything about you."

They have come across contract killers brought in from abroad and others being paid between £10,000 and £20,000 to kill leading gang figures.

Some intended victims are themselves leading underworld figures who later become suspects as they try to take revenge on other gangs.

Mr Molloy said: "It doesn't matter who the individuals are, we are there to protect them."