Drugs busts and weapons sweeps tackle Islington’s rising crime

Drug busts, weapons sweeps and community events were held on Wednesday in a bid to tackle Islington’s rampant rise in violent crime.

A coordinated swoop across the borough saw large quantities of drugs and cash seized, antisocial behaviour tackled and crime prevention advice dished out.

Figures in report delivered to an Islington Council scrutiny committee last week revealed violence among the borough’s young people had shot up 40 per cent in the past 12 months with 2,765 assaults on females in the same period.

In the west of the borough, a drugs warrant turned up a large quantity of suspected Class A and B drugs and £10,000 in cash.

In Mildmay ward, a cannabis factory was found and one arrest was made, while weapons sweeps took place on estates across the borough.

A special operation took place on the Tufnell Park Estate, off Tufnell park Road, where residents have been plagued by antisocial behaviour.

In North Road, Holloway, the local police team security marked 16 bicycles and giving crime prevention advice to more than 50 members of the public.

Chf Sup Gerry Campbell, Islington’s borough commander, said “We rely on the support of the community and other partners to achieve this.

“With partners we are working to improve the way we jointly target violent offenders and support victims of offences. “It should be remembered that despite this rise, other forms of violent crime such as robbery are in significant reduction. But we need to and want to do more”.