Elite armed police raid travelers’ site in one of the largest firearms crime operations

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HUNDREDS of elite police officers raided a travelers’ site in the early hours of this morning in one of the largest firearm crimes.

Armed counterterrorism agents and sniffer dogs joined the 3am raid on the site in Orpington, southeast London.

Police raided a traveler site in the early hours of this morning. Image: Sky News

A police helicopter and drone were involved in the raid in southeast London.

Images from the scene show hundreds of officers marching to the site.

It comes amid a surge in firearm crime in the capital following the easing of the shutdown, Sky News reports.

Fatal firearm incidents have doubled in the weeks since the shutdown was lifted.

The police are reported to have made their move after learning that people connected to the site were involved in supplying weapons to criminal gangs.

Footage from the scene shows dozens of officers marching through the camp and surrounding mobile homes in the minutes before the raid began.

Flash-bangs were used to disorient travelers on the site before police broke down the doors of the static caravans.

Elite officers from the capital’s counterterrorism units were among those implicated in the raid.

Aerial shots from a police helicopter and surveillance drone screened this morning show police moving through the scene and standing next to the caravans.

Detailed site searches continue this morning.

At 6 a.m., seven people had been arrested for crimes that included possession with the intent to supply drugs, tampering with stolen property, and trespassing.

Two people found at the site are being supported by the Met’s Modern Slavery team, while 17 dogs have also been seized.

Metropolitan Police officials said this morning that “hundreds of officers in more than 30 vehicles” carried out “search warrants” as early as 2.45 am.

The footage shows police surrounding static caravans in the seconds leading up to the raid.

Police used flash-bang grenades during the incident in the early hours

Officers are expected to remain on site for at least two days.

Commander Kyle Gordon, head of the Met’s firearms operations, said: “Addressing violent crime remains the Met’s top priority and our efforts to prevent serious damage and loss of life on the streets of London have not wavered. , even in the last challenging months.

“This operation clearly demonstrates that all officers, from local neighborhood teams to our crime investigators, are focused on bringing those responsible for violence and organized crime on the streets of London to justice to keep people safe. our communities.

“This case was led by local neighborhood officials in response to local issues, and its success would not have been possible without the support of partners and communities.

“This operation has directly targeted serious and organized crime, and will mean that the surrounding communities are now safer for those who live in them.

“In recent months we have seen an increase in the number of firearm incidents in London and proactive operations like this are crucial to eliminating the availability of guns and drugs on the streets.

“We have now seized dozens of lethal firearms and prevented them from entering the hands of dangerous people.”

ANTI-TERROR POLICE USED FLASH-BANG GRENADES

Superintendent Andy Brittain also moved to reassure residents, saying in a statement this morning: “This is all part of our plan to keep the capital safe from violence.

“There will be some interruption and I apologize for the noise and any inconvenience caused.

“This will continue for the next few days.”

Sun Online has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.

Earlier this year, the largest criminal raid in Britain’s history captured 746 crime bosses.

Approximately £ 54 million in dirty cash, two tonnes of drugs and 77 firearms were seized after National Crime Agency agents were able to access the secure EncroChat phone system.