Two men have been arrested and four knives recovered after police staged another disruption operation at North Greenwich underground station last night.
But hundreds of commuters were left queueing by the added security, causing many to take to social media to vent their frustrations.
Officers from the Met's South East Basic Command Unit joined the British Transport Police's Blackheath Response team, setting up metal detecting arches and searching commuters at North Greenwich station.
The disruption operation was codenamed Operation Avara and Operation Viking, and saw two knifes confiscated and two found discarded in the station.
A 28-year-old man from Greenwich was charged with possession of an offensive weapon (a knife) and possession of class B controlled substances.
He has been remanded into custody and will appear before a magistrates court.
A 38-year-old male from the East Ham area of Newham was also charged with being in possession of a pointed blade and was remanded into custody.
Following an appearance at Bromley Magistrates Court, he has been bailed ahead of a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
The operation, in place during Thursday's rush hour, caused anger on social media however.
Some took to Twitter with images of large crowds at the station.
Phew, I made it through the metal detectors at North Greenwich. I was worried they were going to ask me about the knife I took to work to chop up an apple for my lunch the other day. pic.twitter.com/24T5wKIDkZ
— Terry 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 (@IP2guy) January 23, 2020
What fresh hell is this? Metal detectors at North Greenwich during rush hour. @SadiqKhan just resign! pic.twitter.com/NEgkx5O4Du
— James Dawes (@jim_dawes) January 23, 2020
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