Brent police officer warns criminals living in social housing that they could be evicted
A girl and two men have been arrested following a series of dawn raids in Brent as part of a London-wide crackdown on criminal gangs.
Officers from Brent Police and the Trident Gang Crime Command, assisted by officers from the Met’s Territorial Support Group (TSG) and CO19 Specialist Firearms unit stormed five addresses in the borough this morning.
A 17-year-old girl was arrested for Grievous Bodily Harm, and two men age 26 and 24 have been held on suspicion of burglary.
Officers also handed out two cannabis warnings and a weapons sweep has taken place around communal areas in South Kilburn Peel Precinct, Bronte House and Fielding House.
There have been 30 stop and searches so far as part of the operation.
The day of action is continuing.
Superintendent Simon Rose, from Brent Police, has issued a warning that those found guilty of criminal activity could face eviction if they live in social housing.
He said: “We actively seek all opportunities to further disrupt the criminality of the suspects. We work with local housing providers to secure evictions where we can prove a breach of tenancy.
“Those involved in gangs should also realise that there is a way out and that there are people we can put them in touch with to help turn their lives around, from mentors, to education centres to potential employers. We have a successful partnership in place and a number of families have been relocated to secure a brighter future for young people previously involved in gangs.
“If these individuals will not change their behaviour we will pursue any legal avenue open to us to imprison them, prevent their criminality or disrupt their behaviour.”
Around 50 addresses across 20 boroughs in London were raided today.
All the boroughs have been identified nationally by the Home Office as Ending Gang Youth Violence (EGYV) boroughs - a scheme to combat youth crime and violence.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Haydon, Head of Trident Gang Crime Command, said: “Our sustained activity has resulted in significant reductions of all gang-related crime types.”
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