Time pieces were found in a second hand market in the borough

Police have seized 21 Rolex watches at a second-hand market in Brent during a London-wide operation targeting suspected thieves.

Officers confiscated the high-end time pieces during the day of action which took place across the city yesterday.

They carried out raids at 15 addresses across the borough and made 16 arrests for possession of drugs, handling stolen goods, burglary and public disorder.

The watches were seized after officers carried out spot checks on pawn shops and other businesses that trade in second hand goods.

Throughout London more than 300 mobile phones worth around £30,000, a number of firearms, including an AK47 rifle and a sawn off shotgun, along with knives and CS spray; cash and large quantities of class A and B drugs, were seized.

Eight uninsured vehicles including a £90,000 Maserati were also recovered.

Commander Stephen Watson, who led yesterday’s operation, said: “The operation was a huge success.

“Crimes like burglary, robbery and theft have a huge impact on the people who are victims. By targeting those people responsible, plus the networks they use to sell on stolen property or trade for drugs, we aim to make our streets a hostile place for them to operate.

“This is work which continues day in and day out across the MPS, but big operations like yesterday play a major part in the fight against crime and demonstrates that there is no hiding place for criminals.”