Biggest Ever Met Police Operation Cracks Down On Speeders and Violent Offenders in London
On Friday 19 June, the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC) launched its largest crackdown to date with 750 officers patrolling London streets. Operation Spartan targeted violent offenders and reckless speeders, aiming to make the capital’s roads safer.
33 Arrests Made and Weapons Seized
The operation yielded huge results including:
- 33 arrests for crimes such as possession of offensive weapons, drug supply, Class A drug possession, drink and drug driving
- Seizure of 20,000 nitrous oxide capsules
- Confiscation of four offensive weapons and one knife
- 33 vehicles seized
- 216 weapon sweeps revealing six knives and other offensive weapons
Chief Inspector Dave Monk, RTPC: “This is the biggest operation ever run by the RTPC across the whole Met. We removed a number of dangerous weapons that could have caused serious harm or even death to Londoners. I’m delighted with the 33 arrests and the success of the operation.”
High-Tech Tools and Targeted Stop Sites
Officers were backed by the Violent Crime Taskforce, Territorial Support Group, local borough teams, the Special Constabulary, and police dogs. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology helped officers spot and halt suspicious vehicles safely at four strategic stop sites aimed at catching high-risk violent offenders.
Local Safer Transport officers also conducted large-scale knife and weapon sweeps across London streets, guided by the latest intelligence. The operation focused on key locations suffering a surge in speeding offences since lockdown began.
Speed Demons Caught Going Well Over Limits
A shocking 202 motorists were reported for speeding in just one day. The highest recorded speeds smashed the limits:
- 20mph zone: 49mph
- 30mph zone: 78mph
- 40mph zone: 64mph
- 50mph zone: 92mph
- 60mph zone: 96mph
- 70mph zone: 106mph
This blitz underlines the Met’s drive to achieve “Vision Zero” – wiping out deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads by 2041.
Operation Spartan’s Year So Far
Launched in May, this year’s Operation Spartan has already bagged:
- 153 arrests
- 80 vehicle seizures
- 23 drug disposals
- 20 recoveries of knives, weapons, and ammunition
Chief Inspector Monk added: “ANPR has been a game-changer, helping us catch wanted criminals faster. Tackling violence is our top priority and Londoners can trust we’ll keep fighting to protect their streets. We’re building on last year’s success with ongoing deployments throughout 2020.”
Background: Operation Spartan’s Rise
- First launched in 2019 to target violent offenders
- Expanded in 2020 to clamp down on speeding after lockdown saw a spike in offences
- 2019 results: 435 arrests, 242 unlicensed vehicle seizures, 106 drug disposals, 49 weapons (knives, firearms, Tasers) seized
Operation Spartan is proving a tough no-nonsense response to London’s road crime epidemic — and the fight isn’t over yet.
