Met Police Launch Major Crackdown on County Lines Gangs
More than 150 officers swung into action on Saturday, 7 August, targeting county lines drug dealing and gang activity in Croydon, Sutton, and Bromley. The huge operation saw specialist teams including the Roads and Transport Policing Command, Dog Support Unit, and Special Constabulary join forces to tackle London’s violent crime hotspots.
Hundreds of Vehicles Stopped in Drug Supply Blitz
Officers stopped 367 vehicles using a mix of unmarked cars, intelligence, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to sniff out drug suspects. The crackdown honed in on main roads in and out of south London, known for gang violence and drug trafficking. Drug detection dogs from the Met’s Taskforce helped search vehicles throughout the day.
As a result, 26 vehicles were seized. Officers also recovered £30,000 worth of stolen power tools from one car, highlighting the villains’ wider criminal reach. Specially trained officers stood by to safeguard vulnerable young people, often exploited by gangs to ferry drugs across the country.
Multi-Agency Effort to Cut Crime and Violence
The operation featured backing from Surrey Police, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Home Office, showing the scale of the fight against county lines.
“I am incredibly proud of what we achieved thanks to the Met’s hard-working officers,” said Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, police commander for Croydon, Sutton, and Bromley. “It was remarkable to see such a wide range of specialist skills from different units brought together to tackle county lines and violence.”
“The Met is committed to taking down criminals, seizing their cash, drugs, and weapons, and choking their routes through the city’s roads and transport.”
“This intense day of action is just a snapshot of the 365 days of work going on to keep London safe. We will keep targeting those who bring misery to our communities.”
He added: “To beat gang crime, everyone must play their part. If you have any information – no matter how small – pass it on. It can make a real difference.”
How You Can Help
- In an emergency or if a crime is happening, call 999 immediately.
- For non-urgent reports, phone 101.
- To stay anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
