Guns, bullet-proof vests, drugs, and a stash of stolen cash were discovered by police in a series of raids on flats in a Tulse Hill estate on Friday, July 17.

The raids on three homes followed reports of a rising number of incidents involving firearms on the Tulse Hill Estate which police believe are linked to gangs and the robbery of drug dealers by other drug dealers.

At one address they seized three bullet proof vests, and dye stained cash believed to be from a cash in transit robbery.

A quantity of suspected class A drugs, a revolver loaded with one round of ammunition, three bullets, two bullet-proof vests and a balaclava were recovered from another.

Brixton Crime Squad Detective Sergeant Guy Carmichael, said the raids were in response to concerns by the community about increasing levels of criminal activity.

He said items found at the targeted addresses support suspicions a criminal gang with access to firearms was operating in the area.

He added: "The number of firearms related incidents is believed to be connected to illegal drug supply and robbery by dealers on other dealers.

"The operation shows that we will take action against this kind of activity and people who are not afraid to use serious violence to achieve their ends and commit robberies with firearms, making their estate a very dangerous place for the majority of law abiding people in the community."

*An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and a 59-year-old arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs and possession of a firearm.

The two men were bailed to return to Brixton police station on August 26 and September 19 respectively, pending further police investigation.

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