THE Metropolitan Police has launched a new operation to tackle unlicensed activity around the capital.

Operation Condor targets all 32 London boroughs as part of a crack-down on licensing issues.

Since its launch yesterday, it has lead to 2838 premises visited, 289 licensing breaches being identified and 244 people being arrested.

The operation is a co-ordinated 48 hour operation across London to combat those who flout licensing rules including shops, pubs, clubs, unlicensed mini cabs and others.

Police are on the lookout for drug taking and other illegal activity inside pubs and checking that alcohol is sold and consumed in line with licensing laws.

In shops and supermarkets, they are taking action against people selling alcohol, cigarettes and knives to children and those who have not checked correctly checked the history of second hand goods for sale. Driving license fraud and taxi touts will also be targeted.

Leading the operation is Commander Mak Chishty. He said: "Licensing laws are there for good reason as they help protect us from danger. Breaking them is not acceptable.

“Operation Condor is about keeping our communities safe from harm. In our shops and supermarkets this means people do not sell knives, harmful substances or alcohol to young people; in our pubs and clubs it means that alcohol is sold and consumed in a responsible way, on our roads it means that vehicles, such as taxis are properly licensed and safe.”