COPS have arrested 137 youths so far this week in a series of raids across London targeting gang violence and aimed at taking lethal weapons off the streets, said Scotland Yard

By Mike Brooke

COPS have arrested 137 youths so far this week in a series of raids across London targeting gang violence and aimed at taking lethal weapons off the streets.

The operation has covered all 32 London boroughs, with a focus on street gangs and other groups, Scotland Yard confirmed last night.

Two pistols were recovered from an address in Tower Hamlets in East London, along with knives and CS spray canisters. A man has been arrested in connection with the seizures and has been bailed.

Police across London have seized guns, knives, imitation firearms and even a dog believed to be prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Weapons include a sawn-off shotgun, a 9mm pistol and 70 rounds of ammunition at an address in Islington. Two men have since been charged.

Officers also confiscated �11,200 cash and a large quantity of cannabis and other drugs.

A specially-adapted ballpoint pen with a two-inch blade concealed inside was seized at one address in north London.

Police Commander Mark Simmons said: “We are continuing to hunt down anyone who carries, uses, stores or supplies lethal weapons and are also focusing on seizing criminal assets.”

Hundreds of officers have been deployed in the operation involving the Met, City and British Transport police as well as UK Borders Agency.

It follows a summer operation when 250 people were arrested in one day alone. Police have run 380,000 stop and search’ exercises since April which have resulted in 14,700 arrests and 7,500 knives being confiscated.