Wednesday, August 3, saw dawn raids across north east London as part of an 18 month-long operation – codenamed Chalais – aimed at the dismantling and destruction of criminal gangs in Hackney.
Some 32 search warrants were executed at addresses in Hackney, Enfield and Waltham Forest. The arrests were made under Operation Chalais, a joint initiative run by police in Hackney borough with significant funding from the Council. The operation was directed at those suspected of gang criminality in the borough and forms part of a three-pronged strategy to tackle the issue of gangs, which also encompasses the work of Hackney’s Integrated Gangs Intervention Project – a partnership between Police, Hackney Council, the London Probation Trust and Hackney Homes – and the Metropolitan Police’s Trident unit.
Although the operation focused on dismantling middle and higher tier gang members who have long criminal histories in one particular area of Hackney, it is hoped that the effects of this morning’s raids will be long-lasting, and will lead to significant, long-term reductions in offences relating to gang-related violence, firearms and drugs across the entire borough.
The 18 month-long, intelligence-led investigation, involving covert and overt tactics, has been run by officers in Hackney, in conjunction with several other central Met units, and today’s arrest phase had the support of about 300 officers from units across the whole of the Met. Hackney Council’s CCTV unit also played a key role in the operation.
Chief Superintendent Steve Bending, Borough Commander for Hackney, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 300 officers from across London who were involved in this operation for their contribution to today’s activity. Today’s arrests, which are the culmination of 18 months’ work, will play an important part in further reducing gang-related crime in Hackney.
"It is also important that we acknowledge the role of Hackney Council, which has provided long-term support for this operation and a clear commitment to tackle gang-related criminality. Our joint work to combat gang violence will continue."
Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney said: "Although crime in Hackney is at its lowest level for 12 years, we know that our residents remain concerned by the small minority of individuals who involve themselves in serious, violent and gang-related crime. Our significant financial investment in this operation, coupled with our ongoing, long-term support, demonstrates how serious we are about tackling organised crime and gangs in Hackney."
