Shots fired in police stop and search raid as task force cracks down following five South London killings in a week

Two men have been arrested following an armed stop in Lambeth, during which a shot was fired near police.

Armed officers working with the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command carried out an armed stop in Montford Place, Kennington Green, at 10.40pm last night, Monday November 5.

During the stop, a non-police firearm was discharged and an armed officer fired their weapon a number of times. No-one suffered gunshot injuries.

A shotgun was recovered at the scene.

Two men – one aged 20 and a second man aged 21 – were arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and taken into custody at a South London police station where they remain.

Commander Stuart Cundy of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “The Met is committed to taking guns off the streets of London, and the safety of Londoners and our police officers is a priority.

“Our armed officers are highly trained and yesterday conducted an armed stop on behalf of unarmed officers.

“One shot was fired from a shotgun, and an officer discharged their police firearm. Our criminal investigation is ongoing.”

As is routine when a police firearm is discharged, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) has been informed. This criminal investigation is being led by the Trident and Area Crime Command.

The police action came shortly before a 16-year-old was killed, it is thought by a knife, in Greenleaf Close, Tulse Hill.
The Met today announced Violent Crime Task Force officers would patrol the streets of South London following five murders in a single week – the worst ever outbreak of knife killings south of the Thames.