MORE than 200 arrests have been made in an operation involving police nine forces to tackle drug supply and linked violence on our roads.

Officers from the Metropolitan, Surrey, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, Hampshire, City of London and British Transport Police worked to disrupt county lines gang activity in order to reduce gang, drug and weapon based violence.

Echo:

During the three-day operation from Tuesday to Thursday, officers used Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and intelligence to target vehicles linked to violent crime.

Overall 1,065 officers were involved in the effort which focused on arterial routes and motorways in and around London such as the M25, M11, M4 and the M20.

The operation resulted in 230 arrests for offences including attempted murder, possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, possession of offensive weapons, possession of firearms, assault and possession of criminal property.

There were 22 knives and other weapons recovered, 54 vehicles seized, 62 illegal items, such as drugs, and six warrants executed.

Echo:

A range of officers from the Met were involved, including the Violent Crime Taskforce, Operation Venice, Tactical Firearms Officers, Dog Support Unit, Roads and Transport Policing Command, as well as Specialist Crime officers.

Chief Insp Jack May Robinson from the Violent Crime Taskforce said: “This three-day operation involved neighbouring forces we continuously work with as part of our day to day policing. We’ve built on those relationships to work together and drive down on those using the road network to facilitate their criminal activity.

“Some of the individuals arrested are extremely dangerous, lead criminal life styles and exploit vulnerable people to run drugs and commit crime.

Due to the need to safeguard tEcho: hose who have been exploited, we resourced a dedicated phone-line of trained officers to give specialist advice to officers to ensure the best care and response possible.

“Operation Pandilla is part of our effort to target the drivers of violent crime. Drugs are inextricably linked to a high proportion of the violence; therefore we will continue to target those who exploit children to peddle drugs and target the most vulnerable within our communities.

 

"We simply can’t do this alone and must work with our partners.

“Our message to criminals using the road network to transport drugs and illegal assets is clear. We are tirelessly working 24/7 to disrupt you.

"If you are stopped with anything illegal we will arrest you and put you before the courts.

"We are working stronger together and sharing intelligence across borders to make it as hard as possible for you to run county lines.”