Trident dawn raids recover shotgun and heroin

Met Police Trident Gang Command dawn raid arrest in Westminster. Pic: Met Police

Met Police Trident Gang Command dawn raid arrest in Westminster. Pic: Met Police

A sawn-off shotgun, ammunition and a quantity of heroin has been found at an address in Hackney following a series of dawn raids conducted by Trident Gang Crime Command Officers on Wednesday, May 8. The raids occured as part of the Met’s continuing crackdown on gang crime across the capital, assisted by officers from the Met’s Territorial Support Group (TSG) and SCO19 Specialist Firearms unit.

The 20 boroughs in today’s operation have been identified nationally by the Home Office as Ending Gang Youth Violence (EGYV) boroughs — a scheme to combat youth crime and violence.

Drugs recovered in dawn raids by Trident Gang Command. Pic: Met Police

Drugs recovered in dawn raids by Trident Gang Command. Pic: Met Police

So far, over 50 warrants have been carried out and 10 people between the ages of 18 and 44 have been arrested on suspicion of robbery, kidnap, and possession of class A and class B drugs.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Haydon, Head of Trident Gang Crime Command, said:

“Historically, Trident focused primarily on gun crime and homicide within the black community and the recent loss of our murder investigation capability has led many communities, and in particular gang members, to wrongly believe that Trident has disbanded.

“This is not the case; a large part of Trident’s work is around the prevention of shootings and disrupting gang members’ criminal activity.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Haydon, Head of Trident Gang Command. Pic: Met Police

Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Haydon, Head of Trident Gang Command. Pic: Met Police

“Since April last year Trident and local borough officers have made more than 5,500 arrests against known gang members, with well over half of those arrests resulting in a charge. Our sustained activity has resulted in significant reductions of all gang-related crime types. Our expertise continues to be used, with Trident officers providing support to the Homicide and Serious Crime Command where needed.

Metropolitan Police Trident Gang Command website

Metropolitan Police Trident Gang Command website

“Trident is not just a logo, it’s about having the very best detectives, committed police staff and strong community links. Our remit may have changed but our ethos has not. We are still here, still targeting violent gang members, and for those involved who seek a better life, a life away from gangs – through our partners, community and voluntary groups we will seek to help them into education, employment and a more positive life path.”

Police searches are continuing throughout the day, with arrest figures expected to rise.

The Met Police consult a Trident Independent Advisory Group, known as TIAG, for advice and guidance on policy and policing impact which has released the following statement:

“Although Trident’s remit has changed since its formation over a decade ago, we as the TIAG are pleased that Trident still exists and that community engagement remains at the heart of Trident’s work.

“Gang violence puts families and young people at risk and blights the lives of London’s communities. The police must continue to work with local boroughs, parents, schools, faith and community groups to prevent young people from joining gangs in the first place.

“We as independent members play a fundamental role in challenging and providing advice and guidance to Trident to help prevent critical incidents escalating and provide a sounding board to understand the potential impact on communities of police practices and operations.”

Leave a Reply