London Launches Massive Crackdown on Gun Crime Starting Today
From Monday 26 July, London is stepping up the fight against violent crime with a week-long blitz targeting illegal firearms. Expect heavy weapons sweeps, warrants, plus overt and covert patrols across every borough.
Operation Viper Takes the Lead
Detective Superintendent Nick Blackburn of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, leading the crackdown, said: “Day in, day out, Met officers work tirelessly to remove dangerous weapons from the streets. This week, we’re sharpening our focus to make London safer for everyone this summer.
The sweep covers all 32 boroughs, zeroing in on areas with rising violent crime. The Met’s elite Operation Viper squad will back patrols with specialist firearms and Taskforce officers, ready to respond to shootings or intelligence spikes.
Seizing Guns and Locking Up Dangerous Criminals
- In the first half of 2021, the Met seized 248 firearms — including 151 handguns, three machine guns, and two submachine guns.
- Last year saw 443 firearms recovered, a sharp rise from 336 the year before.
- Just days ago, four men were sentenced to 42 years combined for trying to smuggle six guns into the UK.
DS Blackburn added: “We’re getting better at finding illegal guns, but the public’s help is vital. If you know where guns are stored or who’s carrying them, please speak up. You can report anonymously via Crimestoppers.
How You Can Help
If you spot suspicious firearm activity or know where weapons are hidden, report it to the police immediately. You can:
- Call 999 in an emergency
- Send a tweet to @MetCC
- Visit the Metropolitan Police website
Don’t want to talk to police directly? Contact Crimestoppers — it’s 100% anonymous. They won’t trace your calls or IP address. Submit a tip online or call 0800 555 111. Your info could save lives.
