Menu
13/01/2009
Successful Crackdown On Knife And Gun Suspects
Five guns taken off the streets and visits to almost 200 venues are some of the achievements of Operation Argon.
Argon, the Met's crackdown on people carrying knives and guns in and around the Capital's licensed premises, kicked off on 15 December 2008 and finished on Sunday, 11 January 2009.
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Ball, in charge of the operation, said: "This operation was designed to make London as hostile an environment as possible for weapon carrying criminals to move around, and to keep the Capital's pubs and clubs as safe as can be.
"Through using all our specialist officers and skills the Met carried out a concerted yet highly flexible operation. We made 50 arrests for offences including handling stolen goods, possession of offensive weapons, attempted murder and threats to kill.
"The discharge of a firearm across London in December 2008 was down by about 43% compared to the previous year.
"By making venues harder and harder for criminals to get weapons into, and making it increasingly difficult for them drive around London, we are reducing the number of times guns are fired on our streets.
"Now this operation is over the day to day work by our specialist teams continues to make sure gun and knife criminals know that we are determined to catch them and take their weapons off the streets."
Targeted spot checks took place at 185 venues. Officers exposed flaws with search regimes, and uncovered 13 unregistered door supervisors.
Eleven clubs worked closely with the police to voluntarily close for a short period of time, based on police information about serious violence or disorder that was planned to take place inside their venue.
Firearms officers were out as part of an intelligence-led operation to stop cars known to be linked to weapons. In total 80 cars were stopped - sending a clear message to people known to carry weapons that they cannot easily travel the Capital's streets.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, in charge of the Met's Clubs and Vice Unit, said: "The vast majority of London's pubs and clubs deserve their reputation for being part of world recognised night time economy.
"The support we have received for this operation from the industry has been overwhelming.
"We all want the small minority of poorly run venues that endanger people through lax security searches and flout the law to be pulled back into shape. Operations like this give a clear message to the industry that police will support well run venues, but continue to target poorly run venues throughout the year with undercover random spot checks."
(JM/BMcC)
Argon, the Met's crackdown on people carrying knives and guns in and around the Capital's licensed premises, kicked off on 15 December 2008 and finished on Sunday, 11 January 2009.
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Ball, in charge of the operation, said: "This operation was designed to make London as hostile an environment as possible for weapon carrying criminals to move around, and to keep the Capital's pubs and clubs as safe as can be.
"Through using all our specialist officers and skills the Met carried out a concerted yet highly flexible operation. We made 50 arrests for offences including handling stolen goods, possession of offensive weapons, attempted murder and threats to kill.
"The discharge of a firearm across London in December 2008 was down by about 43% compared to the previous year.
"By making venues harder and harder for criminals to get weapons into, and making it increasingly difficult for them drive around London, we are reducing the number of times guns are fired on our streets.
"Now this operation is over the day to day work by our specialist teams continues to make sure gun and knife criminals know that we are determined to catch them and take their weapons off the streets."
Targeted spot checks took place at 185 venues. Officers exposed flaws with search regimes, and uncovered 13 unregistered door supervisors.
Eleven clubs worked closely with the police to voluntarily close for a short period of time, based on police information about serious violence or disorder that was planned to take place inside their venue.
Firearms officers were out as part of an intelligence-led operation to stop cars known to be linked to weapons. In total 80 cars were stopped - sending a clear message to people known to carry weapons that they cannot easily travel the Capital's streets.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, in charge of the Met's Clubs and Vice Unit, said: "The vast majority of London's pubs and clubs deserve their reputation for being part of world recognised night time economy.
"The support we have received for this operation from the industry has been overwhelming.
"We all want the small minority of poorly run venues that endanger people through lax security searches and flout the law to be pulled back into shape. Operations like this give a clear message to the industry that police will support well run venues, but continue to target poorly run venues throughout the year with undercover random spot checks."
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 October 2010
Children Safeguarded In Major Operation
Twenty eight children have been safeguarded as part of a major operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police in east London this morning. The operation involved potential victims of a Romanian-based Roma gang of child traffickers.
Children Safeguarded In Major Operation
Twenty eight children have been safeguarded as part of a major operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police in east London this morning. The operation involved potential victims of a Romanian-based Roma gang of child traffickers.
09 January 2014
Man Jailed Over Stun Gun Possession
A drug dealer who kept a stun gun at his home in Southampton has been jailed for five years. Wesley Walters, 26, from Rampart Road, was arrested in September 2013 as part of Operation Fortress. When detectives searched his property they found the firearm disguised as a mobile phone in the back of a drawer.
Man Jailed Over Stun Gun Possession
A drug dealer who kept a stun gun at his home in Southampton has been jailed for five years. Wesley Walters, 26, from Rampart Road, was arrested in September 2013 as part of Operation Fortress. When detectives searched his property they found the firearm disguised as a mobile phone in the back of a drawer.
19 May 2014
Convicted Killer Fails To Return After Day Release
A convicted killer has failed to return to prison following a day release on Saturday. 44-year-old Arnold Pickering, from Greater Manchester, failed to return to Kennet Prison on Liverpool, marking the third time he has gone on the run. Pickering was jailed for life in 1991.
Convicted Killer Fails To Return After Day Release
A convicted killer has failed to return to prison following a day release on Saturday. 44-year-old Arnold Pickering, from Greater Manchester, failed to return to Kennet Prison on Liverpool, marking the third time he has gone on the run. Pickering was jailed for life in 1991.
10 December 2012
Man Arrested As Part Of Savile Operation Yewtree
A man in his 60s has been arrested as part of the Jimmy Savile Operation Yewtree. The man, from London, is being questioned at a south London police station, following his arrest at 06.45am, on suspicion of sexual offences, according to the Metropolitan Police. The arrest is not connected to the allegations made against the late BBC presenter.
Man Arrested As Part Of Savile Operation Yewtree
A man in his 60s has been arrested as part of the Jimmy Savile Operation Yewtree. The man, from London, is being questioned at a south London police station, following his arrest at 06.45am, on suspicion of sexual offences, according to the Metropolitan Police. The arrest is not connected to the allegations made against the late BBC presenter.
30 August 2011
Exclusive: UN Says Nuclear Test Ban 'Priority'
The UN Secretary General has called on states that have yet to sign up to the ban on nuclear testing to make it their "priority". In a 4NI.co.uk exclusive, Damien Whinnery, writes that Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that voluntary moratoriums on nuclear weapon tests are not enough.
Exclusive: UN Says Nuclear Test Ban 'Priority'
The UN Secretary General has called on states that have yet to sign up to the ban on nuclear testing to make it their "priority". In a 4NI.co.uk exclusive, Damien Whinnery, writes that Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that voluntary moratoriums on nuclear weapon tests are not enough.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
