News -
Met police drive down violent crime in Merton in response to community concerns
Local neighbourhood and specialist officers in Merton have led a series of intelligence-led warrants with more than £850,000 worth of suspected criminal property being taken off the streets of London this week alone.
Officers visited 39 properties and made 32 arrests targeting the most prolific and dangerous offenders. Class A and Class B drugs with an estimated street value of £200,000 were seized, along with 14 offensive weapons, a firearm, and other high value items including cash.
The operation, known as ‘Hessian’, has involved more than 600 officers since April 2024. It comes as part of the Met’s focus on community policing and tackling crime that matters most to residents who had raised concerns about serious violence in their area.
As a result, Merton has recorded the largest fall in robbery offences (33 per cent) across the Met. Firearm offences are also down by 33 per cent, violent crime resulting in injury has decreased by 24 per cent and knife crime is down 14 per cent.
In total across the operation, officers have now:
- Carried out 71 warrants
- Arrested 72 people
- Seized 14 firearms with associated ammunition and 62 bladed and offensive weapons
- Collected more than £620,000 worth of Class A and B drugs
- Removed £1.4million in cash and other valuable items suspected to be the proceeds of crime
- Upped patrols in the hotspot areas and been conducting weapons sweeps.
Inspector Kevin Chambers, from the Met’s Merton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:
"We remain focused on tackling the crimes that cause misery to communities and our targeted approach is working to reduce violence and organised crime in Merton and across London.
“The Met has worked hard in South West London over the last 12 months to remove drugs, weapons and firearms from our streets, and relentlessly target criminal gangs to reduce offending and improve neighbourhoods.
"The relationship with the people we serve is at the heart of everything we do and our ongoing commitment to prioritise community crime fighting is one of the key improvements that resulted in the Met recently being moved out of special measures."
Councillor Edith Macauley MBE, the London Borough of Merton’s Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said:
“Operation Hessian, which was carried out by the police in response to concerns from residents, sends a clear message to criminal gangs that we won’t tolerate crime, drugs or violence in our community.
“We’re determined to make sure Merton remains one of London’s safest boroughs and are joining forces with multiple partners, including the police, to act together to address residents’ fears about crime.”
Last week (23 January), the Met moved out of special measures after making major improvements in many areas of service to London. This was a result of collective effort to change the Met and ensure it can deliver on its promise to Londoners – More Trust, Less Crime, High Standards.
Over the last two-and-a-half years Met officers and staff have worked tirelessly to address more than 100 recommendations, several causes for concern and improve our service to London in areas far beyond those highlighted by HMICFRS.
They have done so in the face of significant budget challenges, the sustained demand of public order and protest in London, increased scrutiny and accountability, all while continuing to do their day jobs keeping Londoner’s safe.
To report a crime in your area ring 101 or visit the Met’s website. Always ring 999 in an emergency.
