Boris Johnson attends county lines dawn raid photo-op in West Norwood

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in West Norwood today for a photo opportunity with police officers as they took down a house in connection with county lines.

The Metropolitan Police’s Acting Commissioner, Sir Steve House, was also in attendance, and the pair  joined officers based at Lewisham Police Station to witness the operation, aimed at combating drug-related violence in the area.

The Met said a warrant was executed at a property in West Norwood, Lambeth, where officers discovered class B drugs and paraphernalia, as well as a suspected drugs line phone, which is currently being investigated.

The Met confirmed there were no arrests.

Boris Johnson said: “Making our streets safer has always been central to my mission to level up this country, because everyone should have the security, confidence and opportunity that comes from having a safe street and a safe home, wherever they live.

“We are cracking down on vile gangs and putting dangerous offenders behind bars for longer – and at the heart of these efforts are the 20,000 new officers who will be out on the streets providing the firepower for years to come in the fight against crime.”

The Met claim since April in Lambeth and Southwark, officers have shut down nine drug lines and recovered six firearms, with associated class A drugs and cash seizures.

Detective Superintendent Victoria Sullivan, lead for South East based Proactive Teams, said: “Drug dealing inflicts untold harm on our communities. Disrupting the lines of supply is central to our work in tackling violence which is the Met’s top priority. There are strong links between the two.”

Pictured top: Photo opportunity for the outgoing Prime Minister (Picture: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street)