London’s gang experts have extended their stay in the borough by another six weeks to tackle the problem of youth violence.

This newspaper reported on Operation Nibento last month in which 13 young people were arrested for various gang and drugs offences at the end of a successful investigation by the Met’s Trident Gang Command, Newham’s Gangs & Firearms Unit, British Transport Police, council enforcement officers, and local Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

But top specialised officers have decided to stay on and work with police for another month and a half, carrying out search warrants and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) operations, and using tactics such as ASBOs, knife arches, and drugs dogs to stamp out youth violence.

Det Chf Insp Gary Bruce, from Trident Gang Command who is leading Operation Nulfass, said: “We have placed significant proactive resources into Newham with the clear aim of preventing gun, gang, and knife crime and, most importantly, protecting young people.

“We are doing this alongside local officers, the local authority, and our other partners and, most importantly, through building effective relationships with the communities most affect by gang crime.

“Along with our partners, Operation Nulfass is helping those people who want to exit a gang to do so and is disrupting and convicting those involved in gang-related criminal behaviour through a range of tactics.”

Newham police need your help to report gangs and criminal activity by calling non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

See Wednesday’s Recorder to find out how chief reporter Kay Atwal fared when she hit the streets of Newham as part of Operation Nulfass.