Lewisham police have made 80 arrests since the launch of a drug, burglary and robbery crackdown operation in July.

Operation Yarra has seen police use a variety of tactics including enhanced intelligence-led patrols, detectives in plain clothing and search warrants to target prolific offenders in the borough.

Arrests have been made for a variety of offences including robbery – the most dominant of Lewisham crimes, harassment, possession with intent to supply, burglary, possession of Cannabis and Class A drugs, affray and GBH.

Fourteen men who had committed a string of violent robberies around Greenwich and Blackheath have all been arrested after officers from Greenwich and Lewisham identified them through CCTV.

A total of 19 warrants have been executed across Lewisham in Stoneycroft Close, Kimbolton Close, Geraint Road, Shroffold Road, Farley Road, Burghill Road, Perry Vale, Overdown Road, Inglemere Road, Bellingham Road, Persant Road, Lewisham Park, Broadfield Road, New King Street and Polecroft Road and Brampton Road in Greenwich.

Amongst the items recovered from those addresses 55.2 grams of cocaine valued between £5,500-£11000, 77 grams of cannabis valued at £770, cannabis to the value of £400, a firearm from one address and £300,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine from another.

Of the 80 arrests, 28 people have been charged, two people have been recalled to prison and the operation has seen a reduction in burglary of 24.5 percent and robbery of 32.5 percent for August compared to the same time last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Barry Smith, in charge of Serious Acquisitive Crime for Lewisham and Operation Yarra lead, said: "The arrests made and warrants executed should send out a clear message that we will not allow people to actively engage in criminal activity in Lewisham. We are robustly pursuing our most harmful criminals to ensure that Lewisham is a safe place for its residents.”