Twelve people were arrested during police raids in Southwark and Lewisham on January 16. A total of sixteen warrants were issued. Arrests were made at homes in Downham and Hither Green in an attempt to crack down on drugs and gangs in South East London.

Eleven men aged between 18 and 48 were arrested along with a 31-year-old woman. All were arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences and taken into police custody. Police said they found a large amount of Class A drugs at the properties in their drive against drug-related crime in the borough.

Detective Inspector Luke Williams, gangs lead for Lambeth and Southwark, said: “Drug-dealing is inextricably linked with a high proportion of the violence we have seen on our streets.

“We will deal robustly with those who seek to peddle drugs, exploit young people and target the most vulnerable within our communities for the sole purpose of financial gain; often instigating violent acts and placing young people at risk of harm and criminalisation in the process.”

Detective Inspector Luke Williams also called upon local communities to help saying they ‘play a vital role’ in stopping drug crime and violence.