Police raids target drugs gangs

Police officers will remain in the area for a prolonged period of time

Nine teenagers have been arrested for suspected drugs offences following a police raid on a south London estate.

Officers mounted an early morning raid at Southwyck House in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, to stop the sale of crack cocaine and heroin.

A criminal network had been operating on the estate for six months, taking over the homes of vulnerable residents and turning them into crack houses.

Some 150 people came from across south London to buy drugs there, said police.

'Pure misery'

The network had been operating from the concierge area of the housing complex, selling drugs from midnight through to the early hours of the morning.

As well as drug dealing the group was associated with street robberies and violence, including knife crime.

Jahnnie, a Brixton resident for over 30 years, said: "That estate is a terrible place.

A series of raids have taken place in Lambeth

"Gang members arm the youths and give them the drugs and the ammunition and boost them up.

"Then they take over vulnerable people's homes and turn them into crack houses and bring pure misery into the community."

Lambeth's Borough Commander Ch Supt Sharon Rowe said officers would remain in the area for a "prolonged period of time" to tackle the problem.

"We have put in place a robust investigation targeting this network so that today's activity will mean a better, safer environment for the vast majority of law-abiding residents who live here.

"We will focus our efforts over the coming weeks on not allowing drug dealers and users a way back in."

Lambeth police also announced a new anti-gang hotline designed to allow people to give information about criminal networks.

It is also aimed at gang members who want to turn their backs on their criminal lifestyle.