Crime Solicitors

Nearly 6,000 police officers staged dawn raids across London on Wednesday (25/06/14), in a further crackdown on knife crime in the capital.

It is estimated there are around 60 victims of knife crime in London every week – and Operation Trident, which tackles violent gangs and knife crime across the capital – is working to reduce knife crime statistics.

Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Allison is the head of the anti-gangs unit Trident – he said that the unit’s primary aim was “to keep Londoners safe”.

“We have seen significant reductions in both gun and knife crime in recent years – however, we recognise that knife crime continues to have a considerable impact on London,” he said.

The dawn raid this week involved 5,800 police officers deployed across the capital to target 160 knife crime suspects in “weapons sweeps” across housing estates.

Police officers were also stationed at transport hubs such as bus stops and train stations to carry out random checks on individuals.

Number plate recognition cameras were also used to check cars in which suspects carrying knives might be travelling.

The police targeted three addresses in the London Borough of Hillingdon – all three addresses are linked to one family whom police suspect are connected with drug dealing. A house in Hoppner Road in Hillingdon was raided at just before 8am and police detained one man suspected of possessing cannabis.

Police officers also arrested a second man at another address in Hillingdon on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs.

The home of a suspected drug dealer was also raided, where police officers recovered the sum of £120,000 in cash.

While officers were carrying out raids in Hillingdon, a 28-year-old man not connected to the raids was arrested in connection with two armed robberies carried out at knifepoint.

Police in Islington said they also arrested a 15-year-old boy who was found to be carrying a knife.

A 17-year-old was also arrested in Islington in connection with possession of a firearm, after police officers discovered a loaded revolver stashed away in a moped.

A total of 43% of the UK’s knife-related crimes take place in London, with 50% of murders in London between 2013 and 2014 being carried out using knives.

Knife crime figures in London are reported to be at a record low, according to police figures. However, in recent years the level of knife crime in London from year-to-year has remained fairly consistent, with recent figures for last year showing a fall of just 21 knife crimes in the capital, compared with figures on knife crimes in London for 2012.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of crime lawyers and can advise at any stage of a charge for knife crime, including possession of a knife, carrying a knife, armed robbery involving a knife, assault, GBH or murder.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons to advise on violent crime charges, including gang-related crimes such as drugs charges, possession of a gun, threatening behaviour or antisocial behaviour charges and armed robbery.

For expert legal advice on criminal law and representation, contact Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For out-of-hours legal advice on criminal charges or representation at a police station for questioning under caution, contact the Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers Out-of-Hours Hotline on 07920 077057.