Nine Arrested In Dawn Raids

Nine people have been arrested in a series of dawn raids in London on Tuesday, 22 September.

The raids have followed a three month, intelligence led operation by officers from Westminster.

Officer executed a number of search warrants have been carried out at addresses across the north of the borough with officers focusing much of their attention on the Queens Park and Harrow Road Wards.

Those arrested were taken to a central London police station where they currently remain in custody.

Officers have so far recovered £1000 in cash and what is believed to be quantities of crack cocaine and heroine. Arrests and searches continue.

The arrests - on suspicion of the supply of class A drugs - were made as part of Operation Handel which is a proactive operation responding to concerns raised by the community regarding violence perpetrated by street drug dealers in the area.

Detective Inspector Dave Bolton said: "After listening to the community, today we have carried out a series of arrests helping to make Westminster a safer borough for people to live and work in.

"We are strong in our resolve to reduce the drug activity and the violence that is associated with it. Together with the local authority and partner agencies we will continue to do all that we can to divert young people away from a life of crime.

"I personally would like to thank the local community for supporting us with our efforts in disrupting and dismantling criminal activity in Westminster, however we are not complacent and still require their help and support in the coming weeks and months.

"We would encourage anyone with any information about ongoing criminal activity within the borough to come forward and speak to us. Any information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence."

Anyone with any information that could assist officers with their continued efforts in tackling drug crime is asked to contact police on 020 7321 7557 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(MH/CD)