Armed officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Violent Crime Taskforce (VCTF) made two arrests and seized weapons during separate patrols across North West London.
At 3.40pm on Wednesday, 7 October, VCTF officers targeted Cricklewood Broadway, NW1, focusing on drug dealers preying on school children. Using insider information, they moved into a notorious alleyway where two suspicious youths attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended.
The younger youth, aged 14, was found carrying a “ring knife.” He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon but has since been released under investigation. The boy is now participating in the Met’s Divert programme, which aims to steer young offenders away from crime and towards employment or training. This scheme has helped over 380 young people find work in the past year.
The second teenager, aged 16, was released with no further action.
Later that evening at 8.10pm, VCTF officers stopped a suspicious vehicle on Harlesden Road. The driver, a 24-year-old man, was searched and found to be carrying a large lock knife. He was arrested but later released as the investigation continues.
Police Sergeant Iain Hardman from the VCTF commented: “The purpose of the VCTF is to be more proactive on the streets, bearing down on violent crime and serious criminality — and we are doing just that. We are continuously seizing knives and weapons found during our proactive patrols. The officers on this team are hugely dedicated and work hard to keep London safe.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
