East Area Police Officers Take Part In County Lines Intensification Week Resulting In The Removal Of Guns, Samurai Swords And Drugs Worth Thousands.

8th July 20258th July 2025 Francesca Lilleystone County lines, Drugs, Knife Crime, Police min read

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Local Met officers have taken part in County Lines Intensification Week, disrupting organised crime.

Officers across Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge joined in the Met wide County Lines Intensification Week that has seen them remove guns, ammunition and drugs worth over £180,000.

County lines is the term used to describe drug dealing where mobile phones are used to supply drugs, typically from large cities to towns and rural areas. Often, young vulnerable children are used to carry and deliver the drugs, sometimes involving carrying weapons. This cycle leads to serious violence in our communities.

The week of intensified action during the last week in June [Monday, 23 June to Sunday, 29 June] saw uniformed proactive officers join forces with Safer Neighbourhood teams and detectives in East Area, all working together determined to disrupt organised crime and safeguard victims.

During the week officers carried out multiple warrants, leading to the recovery of a firearm, ammunition and cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £180,000.

This operation saw an increase in patrols across Havering, Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham utilising ANPR and resulting in a number of vehicle stops and subsequent searches. Interactions led officers to recover quantities of drugs and cash.

A call for police in Romford saw officers from the proactive team and Police Dog Unit assisted Romford Town Centre officers following a fight. Two weapons were recovered including a samurai sword. A number of boys were arrested in relation to this incident for affray and possession of an offensive weapon. They remain under investigation.

In another interaction, officers in Havering attempted to stop a car suspected to be involved in drug supply, which was lost and later found abandoned. Recovered from inside was cannabis, a baseball bat, large amounts of cash and an electronic device used in motor vehicle theft.

In Redbridge, a search of a residential address on Liston Way, Woodford, officers discovered a cannabis factory in a 9^th floor flat. 100 plants were seized with a street value of approximately £100,000. Officers also found the electricity meter had been tampered with, risking the safety of other residents in the building.

In Dagenham, officers carried out a warrant in Malpas Road, recovering a firearm and magazine containing 8 bullets. A 33-yearold man was arrested and subsequently charged for firearms offences. He has been remanded in custody and due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court later this month.

In Havering, officers recovered 80 cannabis plants in a residential property in St Georges Avenue, Hornchurch with a street value estimated at £80,000. A 42 year old man was arrested and subsequently charged. He has pleaded guilty to the offence of production of cannabis and awaits sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court later this month.

Focusing on county lines is also about engagement and providing education to the public around the dangers. This includes how to spot the signs of this exploitation, preventing those most vulnerable from being manipulated at the hands of criminals.

Officers from Havering took part in community roadshows with the local authority in Harold Hill and Romford Town centre. This was an opportunity to talk about the subject of county lines as well as the effects of anti social behaviour. Officers also spent time with year 6 students taking part in Junior Citizens week, providing inputs around the dangers of drugs and county lines exploitation.

DCI Jackie Sweeney for East Area’s proactive said:

“Criminals involved in drug lines will exploit children and vulnerable adults, leaving them trapped into carrying and selling drugs away from their homes. With our teams collaborating together we were able to be ambitious in our policing activities. The results were impressive, making the boroughs we police that much safer.

“Working with our communities is vital in making them safer places but we do need your help.

“If you have information on crime or anti-social behaviour where you live, we ask that you report this either directly to an officer, online at www.met.police.ukor anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”