Gunpoint Robbery Gang Busted in Early Morning Raids
Just after 2am on Saturday, 28 November, London police stormed two addresses in a dramatic double raid. Officers from the South West and South Area Command swooped on homes in Ribblesdale Road, SW16, and Norbury Avenue, Thornton Heath. Four men, all 21, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and carrying a firearm with intent to cause violence.
Firearm Seized in Thornton Heath Sting
During the search in Norbury Avenue, officers recovered a handgun from a vehicle. Tests will now confirm if the weapon was live. The suspects remain in custody as the investigation ramps up.
Link to String of London Robberies
The arrests come after a spree of three linked robberies across east and south London between 29 September and 23 November. The crooks targeted sellers advertising pricey mobile phones online. When victims met them, they threatened with guns and robbed them on the spot.
Detective Praise and Next Steps
“These arrests are the result of some fast-time investigative work following a series of robberies where violence was intimated and the victims genuinely feared for their safety,” said Detective Inspector Andy Griffin from South West CID. “It is an example of great collaborative working from units across the MPS, including South Area BCU, our firearms team and intelligence units. Two men have been arrested and our work will continue to ensure those involved face the legal consequences of their actions.”
