Get you up to speed: Police chase and collide with learner driver in search for London gang members
Police, including the WTXpolitan Police, arrested 85 suspects and seized weapons and cash during a three-day operation targeting drug crime across the UK.
Superintendent Francessca-May Robinson stated the WTXpolitan Police’s operation reflects their unwavering commitment to disrupt organised crime in London with advanced ANPR technology.
Superintendent Francessca-May Robinson reported successful arrests of 85 individuals and emphasized ongoing efforts to combat organised crime throughout London and the UK.
What we know so far
Police have arrested over 80 individuals suspected of drug crime during a major operation across London and beyond. A total of 85 arrests were made for drug offences, alongside the seizure of 85 vehicles, 11 weapons, and £10,840 in cash.
The three-day operation last week relied on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to identify those engaged in serious criminal activities, which included county drug lines, weapon possession, theft, and modern slavery. Superintendent Francessca-May Robinson stated that the results underscore the WTXpolitan Police’s commitment to dismantling organised crime.
As a direct result of the operation, law enforcement aims to enhance safety in communities, particularly in north-west London. Robinson noted, “We remain relentless in our mission to make communities safer,” highlighting the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing in targeting criminal networks.
The High Court has recently allowed the WTXpolitan Police to expand its use of facial recognition technology, despite previous legal challenges. This decision is expected to aid in the ongoing fight against crime in the capital.
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Police chase down and knock over learner driver in hunt for London gang members | News UK
Police have swooped in and caught more than 80 people suspected of fueling drug crime in London and the rest of the country.
Some 85 people were arrested for drug offences, 85 vehicles seized, 11 weapons were found and £10,840 in cash was uncovered across eight forces.
During the three-day operation which ran last week, police used ANPR technology to identify those involved in serious crime.
This includes county drug lines, possession of weapons, theft and even modern slavery.
During one arrest, footage shows a WTXpolitan Police officer chasing and knocking down a suspect on a motorbike with an L plate before arresting him.
How does ANPR technology work?
Specialised cameras are able to read number plates and instantly compare them against databases.
This identifies stolen cars and uninsured vehicles, which are often used as part of larger crime networks in London and the rest of the UK.
And the success of this operation only solidifies their decision to expand its technology as they were taken to court over facial recognition cameras.
Two people, Shaun Thompson and Silkie Carlo launched a judicial review into the cameras after Shaun was wrongly identified as a suspect outside London Bridge station in February 2024.
They argued facial recognition is ‘similar to a DNA profile’ and that plans to mount permanent installations in the capital would make it ‘impossible’ for Londoners to travel without their biometric data being taken and processed.
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But the High Court disagreed with their arguments, giving the Met the green light to continue its expansion.
‘We remain relentless’
Superintendent Francessca-May Robinson, who led the operation, said: ‘The result from the operation demonstrates the Met’s continued commitment to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups operating across London.
‘Our multi-force approach and the ANPR technology enabled officers to identify offenders, target criminal networks and remove those causing harm from our streets.
‘This operation highlights the strength of intelligence-led policing and our determination to tackle drug supply at every level.
‘We remain relentless in our mission to make communities safer. We hope our continued presence in north west will work as deterrent for those who seek to cause fear and harm in the area.’