Met officers tackle drug supply in Kingston

Local and specialist Met officers were involved in raids at six properties early on Wednesday, 5 February as part of an investigation into drug dealing on the Cambridge Road Estate and more widely across Merton.

Six arrests were made as part of the Met’s Clear, Hold, Build strategy, which is designed to reclaim and rebuild neighbourhoods affected by serious and organised crime, focusing on what matters most to locals.

Superintendent Josh Laughton, the Met's neighbourhood policing lead for Kingston, said: "Today's operation followed months of planning by local officers, who have been listening to people on the Cambridge Road Estate to understand their concerns.

"We know drug dealing is often linked to other offences such as violent crime and anti-social behaviour. By taking targeted action, we aim to reduce offending across the board.

"The service we provide to Londoners is at the heart of everything we do. Across the Met, we remain focused on tackling the crimes that matter most to communities to reduce offending and improve neighbourhoods."

One of the raids was carried out at a fast-food restaurant in Surbiton Crescent. The other six addresses were residential properties. Officers seized drugs, including heroin and cocaine.

The three men, one woman and two teenage boys, who were arrested during the operation, remain in custody.

Clear, Hold, Build involves the Met working with partner agencies and communities to make areas safer, and is proven to drive down crime.

It focuses on taking out the criminal gangs that make the lives of some Londoners a misery by fuelling violent and organised crime.

Kingston Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, including community safety, Councillor Sabah Hamed said: “Kingston is one of London's safest boroughs, and this work reflects our continued commitment to working with the police and our partners to make it even safer for everyone.

“We are committed to working with the local communities most impacted by crime to address their concerns, improve confidence in reporting issues and safeguard those who are vulnerable.”

Targeted neighbourhood policing delivered through Clear, Hold, Build has already been proven to have a positive impact on communities across London.

The framework comprises of three parts: Clear, which sees police pursue gang members; Hold, where police maintain a grip on the area to prevent other criminal groups from taking control; and Build, which works to help the community become less susceptible to the draw of organised crime groups.

In Northumberland Park and Edmonton, an intensification resulted in 424 arrests and recent data shows violent crime in the area has fallen to its lowest level in three years.

Improved neighbourhood policing was one of the reasons the Met was removed from special measures in January. His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services also praised improvements to call handling, child exploitation, and public protection.