Met Police smash ruthless gang turning harmless blanks into deadly guns
Caravan Crime Den Raided: Kingpin Nabbed
After a 10-month sting, cops have busted a major gang modifying blank firearms into lethal weapons. The ringleader, 60-year-old Thomas McKenna, was caught red-handed in his South Ockendon caravan workshop and sentenced to 16 years behind bars.
Officers found illegal guns, ammo, and homemade explosives in the raid, which involved over 80 officers and a three-day lockdown to keep the public safe.
Since McKenna’s arrest, shootings with converted blanks have plunged, proving the gang’s demise is already saving lives across London.
Huge Haul in Fight Against London Gun Crime
- The Met seized 676 illegal firearms last year – a staggering 75% jump from 2024.
- Gun incidents are now less than half of what they were seven years ago.
- Operation led by Detective Chief Inspector James Tipple of the Specialist Crime team.
“We shut down an entire gang supplying illegal firearms. Since McKenna’s arrest, converted blank guns in shootings have dropped significantly,” said DCI Tipple. “We will relentlessly hunt anyone involved in gun crime to keep London safe.”
Spytech, Explosives & Terror Links Exposed
The probe began in May 2024 after surveillance uncovered Faisal Razzaq’s illegal gun sales. Police seized a loaded converted gun heading to Notting Hill Carnival, linking it back to McKenna through forensics.
Inside the caravan, officers found bomb-making kits, explosives, and extremist right-wing material. Counter Terrorism Policing London stepped in after digital evidence revealed race war plots and terror info.
Sentences Handed Down – More Punishments Ahead
- Thomas McKenna: 16 years plus 5 years on licence
- Tina Smith (55), McKenna’s partner: 6 years plus 12 months special custodial sentence for terror offences
- Allan Crosby (44): 10 years
- Ryan Smith (44): 7.5 years
- Six others to be sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on 26 February
The web stretched far and wide, involving neighbours Robert and Ricky Dorey and Tammy Rigg, who admitted storing converted weapons.
Key Charges at a Glance
Thomas McKenna pleaded guilty to:
- Converting imitation guns into real firearms
- Conspiring to sell prohibited guns and ammo
- Possessing illegal firearms and ammunition
- Manufacturing explosives and collecting terrorist info
Tina Smith pleaded guilty to:
- Possessing prohibited firearms
- Making explosives
- Collecting terrorist information
Allan Crosby and Ryan Smith convicted of possession of converted firearms and ammo without certificates.
This crackdown is a massive victory for the Met’s mission to slash gun crime and keep London’s streets safe.
