Armed officers' pre-planned operation ends in five arrests
Five people suspected of being involved in a proposed kidnap using firearm have been arrested following a Police operation on Tuesday 1st May.
Officers from the Specialist Crime Directorate's Projects Team acted after monitoring the activities of a criminal network, who were planning to kidnap a man. It is believed they had been hired following a disagreement between criminal networks and that the threat to the man was imminent.
One man was arrested following an armed stop on his car in Rockley Road, W14 during a pre-planned operation by the Projects Team, SCD 11 covert policing and CO19 firearms team.
A second car was stopped by armed officers between Chelsea Bridge and the Embankment, resulting in one man and one woman being arrested.
During both stops Hatton rounds were fired at the tyres to immobilise the cars. No other weapons were used and no one was injured.
Subsequently officers arrested two further men, one in Shepherds Bush Road, and one in Lewisham High Street.
A revolver with ammunition was recovered at the scene in Rockley Road.
Searches are ongoing.
Detective Superintendent Alan Pughsley, of the Projects Team, said, "This was a pre-planned operation following an investigation into a dangerous group of individuals prepared to commit violence to resolve disputes. Everyday the Met, and in particular teams from the Specialist Crime Directorate, act on information to prevent injury and save lives. No matter the background of those involved we take our duty to preserve life extremely seriously.
"Arrests in operations of this complexity invariably mean that specialist resources from across the Met are deployed to ensure the safety of the public and officers. The professionalism of the firearms teams enabled a successful and safe series of arrests."
All five people have been taken to a central London police station. They have all been arrested for conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to possess firearms and money laundering offences.
May 2, 2007