Knives have been seized and two arrests made in separate police stops in Cricklewood and Harlesden.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Knife seized from a 24 year old man in Harlesden. Picture; Met PoliceKnife seized from a 24 year old man in Harlesden. Picture; Met Police (Image: Archant)

Officers from the Violent Crime Taskforce (VCTF) made two arrests and seized two weapons while on proactive patrol in the borough.

At 3.40pm on October 7, officers were on Cricklewood Broadway looking for potential drug dealers targeting school children on their way home.

They searched two teenage boys down an alleyway, Scotland Yard said, and reportedly found a “ring knife”.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, released from custody under investigation and referred to the Met’s custody intervention programme, Divert.

Divert officers work with charities Bounce Back and The New Era, to steer young people away from crime and towards employment and education opportunities, prevent reoffending and help mitigate ongoing risks encountered by many of the young adults.

In the last 12 months, Divert has engaged with more than 800 young people, over 380 of whom went on to full-time employment or training, the Met said.

A 16-year-old was not arrested and released.

Later, officers were patrolling Harlesden Road at 8.10pm when they stopped a vehicle.

The car and the driver, a 24-year-old man, were searched, and officers reportedly found a large lock knife.

A man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and released from custody under investigation.

Police Sgt Iain Hardman, from VCTF, said: “We are continuously seizing knives and weapons we find through our proactive work. “The officers on this team are hugely dedicated and work hard to keep London safe.”