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Re: Britains' Nightmare Crime Rate Increases After COVID-19
Hundreds of Armed Police Raid Traveller Site in One of Biggest Gun Crime Stings Ever
Armed officers hurled flashbangs to distract suspects before arresting six at a caravan park in Orpington, South London following months of work by local police pursuing tip-offs
Daily Mirror UK, 9 SEP 2020.
The armed officers, assisted by aerial support overhead, arrested a number of suspects.
Hundreds of officers raided a traveller's site in one of the biggest weapons stings in UK history.
Shortly before 3am this morning specialist Met Police units entered the Orpington camp.
The activity followed months of work by local police gathering evidence.
The Force had been tipped off that people on the static caravan park were selling guns to criminal gangs.
Scotland Yard's elite Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officers threw flash-bangs to distract the suspects before storming the caravans.
They were backed up by local officers from the south London borough and the Metropolitan Police's TSG public order unit.
Six people were arrested in the sting over offences related to drugs, stolen goods and burglary.
The Force seized 17 dogs (Image: SKY NEWS)
Commander Kyle Gordon, the lead for the Met's firearms operations, said: "Any operation where there may be firearms involved requires a lot of planning and a lot of specialist assets.
"As well as the local safer neighbourhood teams and officers that are leading this operation, of course we have our specialist firearms command involved, and a number of public order assets as well.
"Those teams will do everything they can to identify the risk in advance so they can plan around that to minimise the risk - not just to the people on the site and the wider public, but also to themselves as well."
Two people found at the site are being cared for by the force's modern slavery team, and 17 dogs have been seized....
Investigators will now spend around two days searching the 22-pitch site, following intelligence about where guns might be hidden.
Superintendent Andy Brittain said the force is working with the local council to accommodate residents including children while the searches are carried out.
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