Police find knife and loaded gun in Southwark, saying “serious incident” was prevented

A knife and a loaded gun have been found by police in Southwark.

Officers from the Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF) were on patrol in Amina Way, Bermondsey, shortly after 9.10pm on Tuesday when they noticed two men, aged 18 and 20, turn around and walk away from them into Lucey Way.

The two men then ran away from officers. A short time later, a knife was recovered outside a house and a bag from the garden of a different address.

The bag was searched and it was found to contain a firearm, with at least three rounds of ammunition.

Following a short chase, the two men were held by police on suspicion of possession of a firearm, ammunition and an offensive weapon.

They have been arrested and taken into custody.

Police Sergeant Leon Coltress, of the Violent Crime Task Force, said: “As the result of proactive work by officers from the Violent Crime Taskforce, a loaded gun and a large knife have been taken off the streets in London.

“I have no doubt these seizures have prevented a serious incident taking place last night within Central South Borough Command Unit.

“My officers deploy daily to protect Londoners.”