The Stonebridge Estate has seen the highest number of gunshots in London the last year, new figures have shown.
Police data shows the Stonebridge Estate topped the Met’s gun violence hotspot list with 16 individual reports of gunshots from lethal and non-lethal weapons such as airguns since October 31 last year.
There were 349 reported gun discharges in London this year, up 15 per cent on the same period last year.
Last week a pair of gunmen were jailed last week for firing shots at two seperate addresses in Stonebridge.
Shaun Campbell, 23, from Barnet, and Gavin Macintosh, 24, of no fixed address, fired shots at a property in Gloucester Close which is on the estate, before moving on to a second target in Bruce Road on Janury 26 this year.
Both were jailed for 13-and-a-half years each for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a firearm whilst being a prohibited person.
The figures come as officers revealed they seized a fully loaded Mac-10 machine gun hidden in a house in north London as part of a major drive to take weapons off the streets in the wake of the Paris attacks.
So far this week officers from Operation Kestrel, the Met police’s crackdown on gang violence have carried out 140 weapons sweeps across the capital uncovering a total of eight firearms, including two handguns and three sawn-off shotguns along with four knives and two swords.
Cllr Zaffar Van Kalwala, Stonebridge ward councillor and chair of Brent’s gang task group said: “I’m very shocked and sad to hear about these figures showing Stonebridge reported the most gun shots in London. There has been a recent spike in gun activity around St Raphael’s estate and people are definitely concerned.
“We have always had a strong community and residents should be reassured we are doing our best to help by offering young people opportunities and alternatives to a gang lifestyle but we all need to remain vigilant. Things are getting tough and I think egeneration of areas like St Raphael’s Estate are a key part of the solution.”
Targeted patrols across London also uncovered 11 kilos of cocaine, three kilos of cannabis, one kilo of MDMA, four kilos of crack cocaine and heroin with a street value of £250,000.
Det Ch Sup Kevin Southworth, who is in charge of the Trident and Area Crime Command, said: “Londoners will know of hiding places and some will know of those in their community who are carrying guns. Don’t let this happen in your community, tell us and we will do something about it.”
Throughout this week specialist units including armed response officers will be carrying out weapon sweeps, intelligence-led stop operations and directed patrols in areas which have seen a surge in violent youth and gang-related crime.
Eight arrests have been made so far.
Cllr James Denselow, Brent Council cabinet Member for community safety, said: “One gun fired in the borough is quite simply one too many, so this latest effort by police in sweeping hotspot areas across London for guns, is of course very welcome.
“Gang members and local criminals should make absolutely no mistake about it; every effort will always be made to bring those involved in gang, knife and gun crime in Brent to justice.
“Anyone with concerns about community safety should call the council’s team on 020 8937 1058 or attend their local Safer Neighbourhoods Ward Panel meeting.” To report gang and gun-related activity anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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