Traffic officers, local police and armed response teams will be working together to identify and follow vehicles with a known connection to firearms.
In a typical operation, an ANPR team captures number plates and compares them with intelligence held on the Police National Computer. When a match is found a convoy of police vehicles – including armed response vehicles and search dogs – will follow and apprehend the suspect.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said it will quickly cordon off the surrounding area while officers search the vehicle for firearms.
The project, known as Operation Neon, has been rolled out across the capital this month because analysis from the last two years shows a higher level of gun crime in September.
Detective chief superintendent Helen Ball, head of Trident, the task force set up to combat gun crime, said, “In the last two years Trident have seen a statistical spike in gun crime during September. While there is nothing to indicate the reasons why this has occurred, we are seeking to ensure that there is no repeat this year.
“Trident is not only a reactive investigation team, but also seeks to prevent gun crime before it manifests itself publicly. Therefore operations such as these, conducted with the help of other specialist units, are a very useful tool to marry the intelligence we hold, to help prevent the chaotic nature of Trident offending.”
Superintendent Brian Pearce of specialist firearms command in central operations, said the force wants local communities to be aware that criminals are now far more likely to be caught.
“Those arrested in possession of a firearm face a mandatory five-year prison sentence,” he said.
“To make sure communities understand and are aware of the police operation, local officers will be handing out leaflets explaining our activity in the immediate area. We want to reassure the public that we are actively tackling those who carry guns in their area”.
Ball described people who carry guns as ‘a menace to communities’ that will not be tolerated. She called for anyone with information on gun crime to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
