In six weeks, 55 arrests were made in Brent and 555 penalty notices sent to motorists as part of a special op.

Officers working as part of Operation Hope, which targets criminal activity and anti-social behaviour in Brent, stepped up patrols between February 5 and March 18.

A further 218 stop and searches and 31 street searches were carried out where 10 knives, a metal bar and drugs were seized.

Two cars were also towed away and £25,000 in cash commandeered.

There were also 555 penalty charge notices issued by Brent Council’s parking department.

Acting Ch Insp Pete Weaver said: “We will continue to disrupt crime and prosecute those responsible to make the streets of Brent a hostile place for criminal activity.”

Karina Wane, the council’s head of community protection, said: “We’re going to continue to work with our partners in the MPS, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and community to tackle violent crime, gangs and antisocial behaviour.”