Arrests in Forest Gate and Stratford during crime crackdown

Police in Newham arrested 16 people today as part of London-wide crackdown on crime, drugs and antisocial behaviour.

Officers carried out a number of targeted raids during Operation Hawk after urging residents to pass on any knowledge of criminal behaviour in their neighbourhood.

According to the latest figures from the Metropolitan Police, officers executed five warrants in the borough. This included an early morning raid on a cannabis factory in Forest Gate, where 200 plants were found.

Another drugs factory was found in Stratford later in the day, resulting in another arrest. Full details surrounding the operation in Newham have not been released.

Borough Commander Sean Vickers said: “Operation Hawk demonstrates Newham Police’s determination to fight crime and address local concerns to help make Newham a safer place to live, work and stay.

“Our safer neighbourhood teams will continue to work hard to address local crime and concerns throughout Newham and there will be many more operations such as this one to aid in the ‘war on crime’.

Around 4,000 safer neighbourhood officers were deployed during Operation Hawk.