Officers have carried out stop and searches on 237 people this year as part of a crackdown on knife crime in and around Stratford station.

Operation Engulf has been running since January and has seen people aged between 15 and 45 arrested for offences including possession of knives, knuckle dusters and other weapons.

Among those to have already faced court are a 19-year-old man who was jailed for 10 months for possession of a bladed article and a 20-year-old man given four months’ detention for resisting a constable and possession of a knife.

Ch Insp John Loveless said: “A number of dangerous and potentially lethal weapons have been taken off our streets and those offenders dealt with.

“We know Stratford is more than just a transport link – it’s a station that allows people access to London and the rest of the region, so it’s important we ensure it’s as safe as it can be.”