A fully automatic submachine gun has been seized by detectives following an intelligence led operation.
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, assisted by armed officers, stopped two cars driving in convoy in Crossthwaite Avenue, SE5, on Monday, 15 November.
Officers searched the vehicles and found a PM63 RAK machine pistol, capable of fully automatic firing of 650 rounds per minute, hidden within a speaker on the rear seat of one of the cars.
The firearm was made safe and has been sent off for testing.
The drivers of the vehicles, a man aged 31 [A] and a man aged 53 [B], were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent.
They were taken to a south London police station where they remain in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Victoria Sullivan, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Excellent investigation work by officers has led to an extremely dangerous weapon, which has been designed to cause serious harm or death, being taken off the streets of London.
“We remain dedicated to making London a safer place for everyone by carrying out operations such as this one. We will continue to disrupt those intent on committing violent crime on our streets.”
Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Smith, from the Central South Command which covers Lambeth and Southwark, said: “I know this lethal weapon being recovered on the streets of Southwark will cause concern for local residents. But let me assure you that firearms have no place on our streets and we are doing everything in our power to arrest those who carry and supply guns.
Recent seizures
A knife and a loaded gun have been found by police in Southwark. Officers from the Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF) were on patrol in Amina Way, Bermondsey, shortly after 9.10pm on Tuesday when they noticed two men, aged 18 and 20, turn around and walk away from them into Lucey Way. The two men then ran away from officers. A short time later, a knife was recovered outside a house and a bag from the garden of a different address. The bag was searched and it was found to contain a firearm, with at least three rounds of ammunition. Following a short chase, the two men were held by police on suspicion of possession of a firearm, ammunition and an offensive weapon. They have been arrested and taken into custody. Police Sergeant Leon Coltress, of the Violent Crime Task Force, said: “As the result of proactive work by officers from the Violent Crime Taskforce, a loaded gun and a large knife have been taken off the streets in London. “I have no doubt these seizures have prevented a serious incident taking place last night within Central South Borough Command Unit. “My officers deploy daily to protect Londoners.”
Brixton
In the same month, August we covered another seizure and arrest of a teen.
A teenage boy has been arrested for allegedly carrying a loaded handgun in south London. Officers said they attempted to stop and search the 17-year-old in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton at about 6.20pm on Wednesday. The teenager made off on a bike but was chased down by detectives, a Met Police spokesman said. During a struggle he attempted to discard a bag, police said, which was recovered and found to contain a loaded pistol. The teenager was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition.
He remains in custody at a south London police station.
Detective Constable Catrin Edwards, the investigating officer, said: “Thanks to my colleagues from the Violent Crime Task Force following their instincts, a loaded firearm has been taken off the streets of London. “Each bullet recovered could have gone on to cause serious harm, or even death. “The Met remains committed in its fight against violence, removing offensive weapons from our streets, bearing down on those involved and bringing them to justice.”
