Record number of firearms seized in London

More firearms are being seized by the Metropolitan Police than ever before amid a continued crackdown on violent crime.

According to the force, a total of 450 firearms were seized in 2020/2021 compared to 366 recovered in the previous financial year. The trend is set to continue with 98 firearms seized in the first quarter of this financial year compared to 92 for the same period the previous year.

Commissioner Cressida Dick joined Mayor of London Sadiq Khan on an operation targeting gun crime and gang activity in east London. Local officers, supported by specialist colleagues, including firearms officers, were targeting those suspected of carrying firearms and being involved in street gangs. The operation was led by the Met’s Viper teams which include specialist detectives who assess information in fast-time to identify, arrest and disrupt those behind gun violence.

Dick said: “These two incidents highlight how the Met is working day and night to target those responsible for violence in London. Yet more potentially lethal weapons have been removed from the streets and people are safer as a result of the actions of my officers.

“The streets of London do not belong to those intent on violence, they belong to the public. We will never be complacent and our work to suppress shootings will not ease. The Met has been extremely successful in the last few months as we target gun criminals. These successes give us even more of a hunger to bear down on those involved and bring them swiftly to justice.”

Khan said: “Tackling violence and making our city safer is my number one priority and I’m determined to be tough on crime with support for the Met Police as they work to target the most serious offenders, remove lethal weapons from our streets and bear down on gang violence.

“There will continue to be a relentless focus by the Met on suppressing violence over the summer with more officers on the streets patrolling open spaces and parks, as well as working to keep our town centres safe both during the day and night.

“This activity is part of our comprehensive plan to tackle violence this summer in London and brings the police, City Hall, London’s Violence Reduction Unit, local authorities and criminal justice partners closer than ever before to drive down violence and be tough on the complex causes of crime by helping support young people and delivering hundreds of positive opportunities.”