Police Target Gang, Knife and Drug Crime Ahead of Carnival
Arrests made in H&F as part of London wide Operation Sceptre
During these sweeps, called Operation Sceptre by the police, 26 people were arrested across four London boroughs, including Hammersmith and Fulham as well as neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Wandsworth.
Palace Riverside Safer Neighbourhood Team showed one search for weapons being carried out at Robert Owen House in Fulham Palace Road on its Twitter account, @MPSPalaceRivers.
The Met says as part of its pan-London response to violence and knife crime and in the run-up to Notting Hill Carnival, officers across the Capital have been engaged in proactive operations since Friday, 11 August, targeting and disrupting gang crime, drug supply, knife crime and other offences that could impact on the safety of the weekend.
To date, officers have made more than 290 arrests for a range of offences recovering 190 knives and 18 firearms. Police say this activity will continue during the week, and will include weapon sweeps, stop and search, youth engagement and ANPR operations.
The borough officers were assisted by the Territorial Support Group, Safer Neighbourhoods teams and the Dog Unit, as well as colleagues from City of London Police and British Transport Police.
The arrests were predominantly for possession with intent to supply drugs. Some of those arrested this week may be bailed pending further enquiries and will have bail conditions imposed on them, prohibiting them from attending Carnival.
Highly-skilled officers known as 'super recognisers' will be at Carnival and in the CCTV control room looking for anyone banned from the event.
Chief Superintendent Robyn Williams, the Met's spokesperson for Notting Hill Carnival, said: "We are committed to ensuring that Carnival remains a safe, vibrant and enjoyable event; troublemakers are not welcome.
"We will be uncompromising in our operations to keep our communities safe and secure. People can expect to see operational activity right up until, and throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.
"If you know anyone who is planning to use Notting Hill Carnival to commit crime, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 to help us keep the event a safe celebration."
British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Alun Thomas, said: "We are looking forward to Notting Hill Carnival this weekend and our officers will be on hand to ensure everyone travelling to and from the event can do so safely.
"As part of the build-up to the carnival, we working with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service to prevent and disrupt any possible criminal activity.
"Our officers have been involved in the intelligence-led police activity today, which has seen a number of arrests made and weapons seized.
"The clampdown on people who are suspected to be in possession of weapons is part of our long-term commitment to tackling knife crime in London. We do this jointly with the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London Police under Operation Sceptre.
"During the Bank Holiday weekend we will have increased police activity on the railway network - if you need us whilst you are travelling, you can discretely text 61016. Always call 999 in an emergency."