RAIDS on pirate radio stations have led to nearly 50 illegal broadcasters in London being taken off air.

In a joint operation, the Metropolitan Police and the Office of Communications (Ofcom) swooped on stations in the Greater London area on October 29.

During the raids, transmitters were seized from Baseline FM in Lewisham and Wax FM in Plumstead and one transmitter was disconnected at Fresh FM in Erith.

The raid also saw one transmitter seized and one disconnected from Naija FM in Plumstead and Wapping.

Illegal broadcasting, which covers any form of broadcasting without a legitimate licence, has been linked to serious crime and drugs.

According to Ofcom, past raids have uncovered a range of illegal weapons and substances and there is evidence pirate broadcasters send coded messages to dealers and users by playing particular songs to indicate drugs are ready for collection.

Ofcom's head of field operations Robert Thelen-Bartholomew said: "Illegal broadcasting affects emergency services and has links with serious crime.

"Ofcom will continue to pursue and prosecute those involved in this criminal activity."

Ofcom has a 100-per-cent successful conviction rate for their prosecution of people broadcasting illegally.