FORTY-SIX arrests have been made across Lewisham and Greenwich in a crackdown on suspected gang members.

The three-day-operation which started in the early hours of February 8, was spearheaded by a newly formed Trident Gang Crime Command.

The beginning of a change in how the Met tackles gang crime in the capital it forms a key part of the Met Commissioner's total war on crime.

Officers in Greenwich executed 26 warrants in three days and recovered a gun with ammunitions plus large quantities of Cannabis, class A drugs and stolen goods.

A sum of £11,000, believed to have been obtained from illegal activities, was also confiscated.

As part of the same operation officers conducted more than 170 stop and searches outside Belmarsh Prison in Woolwich and Isis Young Offenders Institute in Thamesmead.

Arrests were made for possession of a pointed or bladed article, handling stolen goods, going equipped, no insurance, and breach of bail.

Greenwich Borough Commander Detective Chief Superintentent Richard Wood said: "Police and the Royal Borough of Greenwich have been focusing on gangs since the formation of the council-funded Violent and Organised Crime Unit in 2008.

"The Trident Gang Crime Command will provide us with further resources and an even stronger emphasis on tackling gangs in Greenwich".

He added: "The vast majority of young people are not involved in any gangs but for those who are, I will ensure my officers continue to pursue them and bring them to justice".

Lewisham police executed 15 warrants over three days and 10 arrests were made including a 15-year-old boy who was arrested for possession of drugs and on suspicion of robbery.