A cannabis factory was shut down and 25 plants seized following targeted police raids in Newham on Thursday.

Twelve people were also arrested during Operation Hawk, a crackdown on street level drug dealers.

Various weapons were also recovered from an assortment of properties in the borough.

Newham Safer Neighbourhoods Acting Supt Guy Wade said: “It is about local policing teams tackling street level drug dealing and associated crime using local community intelligence and a wide range of tactics.

“Newham Police is determined to tackle this issue head on by bringing together our resources to reclaim and help repair areas affected by drug dealing.

“Any intelligence we receive around drug cultivation and dealing will be dealt with as quickly as possible.”

Across the capital, cannabis with a street value of more than �2,600,000 was seized and more than 350 people detained.

Thirty-seven cannabis factories were closed, and more than 2,700 cannabis plants were recovered.

Commander Mak Chishty, MPS operational lead for Operation Hawk, said: “This is a renewed emphasis on local policing teams tackling street level drug dealing and associated crime using local community intelligence and a wide range of tactics and assorted activities.

“Drug dealing damages communities. It generates crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour.

“The MPS is determined to tackle this issue head on by bringing together our resources to reclaim and help repair areas affected by drug dealing.”