Police arrested suspected drug dealers, people handling stolen mobile phones and recovered hundreds of thousands of pounds of stolen power tools in a series of raids – and some senior officers also helped to trace a missing child.
The day of action last Wednesday, part of a London-wide Met Police operation dubbed Big Wing, involved 100 extra officers on the streets of Hackney raiding premises for stolen goods.
A total of 33 people were arrested for supplying class A drugs, domestic violence and handling stolen goods.
Shops
One raid, which culminated in £250,000 of tools being recovered, started when a builder noticed his stolen goods being sold on online auction site eBay.
He called police who executed various warrants that snowballed into a larger investigation with Hampshire police. So far about 30 victims have been reunited with their tools.
In Dalston, police raided shops after receiving information some were handling stolen phones – one man was arrested at a telecoms kiosk in a fish shop.
In a briefing to officers at the foot of Ridley Road market, Supt David Grainger said: “We will be executing several warrants based on very solid intelligence, regarding stolen phones, domestic violence and theft of motor vehicles.
“We have 100 extra officers. As well as arresting suspects, we will be educating people, helping them to avoid being victims of crimes.”
He described how criminals are wandering into offices and stealing laptops, and how thieves trick their way into old people’s homes by pretending to be workmen, which he called a “horrible” crime.
Daughter
After the briefing a worried father asked officers to help to find his missing daughter.
After 10 minutes of frantic searching by some of Hackney’s most senior officers the child was found.
Anyone who has been the victim of power tool theft can call Laura Phillips on 02087212328 to see if their equipment was found.
Hackney police are due to hold a roadshow at Shoreditch police station displaying some of the recovered tools.
Events are today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday).
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