A total of 11 warrants were carried out across East London, Essex and Kent (Credit:Met Police)
10 people have been arrested after more than 350 officers from the Metropolitan Police Service, Essex Police and Kent Police executed 11 firearms warrants in the early hours of this morning (3 March).
The suspects, aged between 16 and 20, are accused of offences including conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit GBH with intent.
The venues, which include addresses on Middleton Grove, Sutton Road and Upney Lane, are still being searched.
The raids were carried out as part of ‘Operation Wordwell’ which started in September 2020, following a number of stabbings and shootings in Barking.
Detective Superintendent Paul Trevers, who led the operation for the Met, said, “Following a number of violent incidents in East London, officers from the East Area Gangs Unit have meticulously pulled this operation together, which has taken months of hard work and dedication.”
Officers linked the Barking attacks and realised that one criminal gang was planning violent attacks on other individuals.
They were able to secure evidence of the gang agreeing to split the cost of obtaining a firearm.
Chief Inspector Darren Deex, Operational Policing Command, Essex Police, said, “In working with the Metropolitan Police today, not only have we supported colleagues to make an arrest, we have helped make Essex that little bit safer.
“Our residents know that we will always take action to remove firearms and weapons off our streets and bring those who carry or use them to justice, and we take pride in knowing the community supports us in that aim.
“There is no place for such violence in our county.”
All 10 suspects have been taken into custody at an East London police station.
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Tags: east London, Essex, Barking, Crime
