A number of drug raids executed in Greenwich have led to the arrest of four people for crimes including the supply class A drugs and firearm offences.

The operation was the result of months of work aiming to crack down on gang and drug supply in the borough.

Officers from Greenwich police’s violent and organised crime unit and proactive disruption team used warrants to search the addresses in the early hours of Wednesday, February 15 suspected of drug dealing.

Police arrested four people including a 50-year-old man for suspected possession of class A drugs and possession of prohibited ammunition and a female 49-year-old who was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

Detective inspector Lorraine Hilder said: "This has been a very successful operation, which has seen people arrested for being involved in the supply of class A drugs.

"The arrests have been achieved, not only through police investigation, but also through the intelligence received from the community who we are indebted to.

"Drug dealers on the Royal Borough of Greenwich will not be tolerated and we will continue to carry out operations until these criminals have been brought to justice.

“They are harmful to our communities, take advantage of vulnerable people and help wreck lives. I want to reassure the public that our concerted policing activity is severely curtailing their illegal operations and that we are taking them off the streets and out of circulation.”

The VOCU provides an intelligence-led policing resource that is able to target known gang members and specifically those individuals who are identified as the most violent offenders.

DI Hilder said: "I would say that there are alternative pathways for anyone seeking an exit from the dangerous gang lifestyle. We have a number of partners who assist us in offering opportunities and employment for young people.

"We would encourage interested individuals to contact the Greenwich Violent and Organised Crime Unit who can facilitate referrals. Any company or business interested in helping and mentoring individuals should also contact us via 101."

Oliver Bradford, 23, of Mandeville Close, Greenwich, will appear in custody at Bexley Magistrates' Court today (Thursday, February 16).

He is charged with possessing a controlled class-A drug - namely crack cocaine - with the intent to supply it, using criminal propoerty, and breaching a court order.

Three others - a 50-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possessing class-A drugs and prohibited ammunition, a 49-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and a 61-year-old man arested for possession of class-A drugs - have all been bailed to dates to be confirmed.