Police have hailed the start of a four day crackdown on youth violence as a success.

Detective Sergeant Chuks Gwam, who oversaw the first two days of the Merton wide operation, said getting “right in the face” of potential troublemakers on Wednesday night had paid off with the streets almost deserted the following evening.

The initiative, launched to reassure the community and prevent growing gang violence in Wandsworth spilling over into Merton, involves extra police patrols in the borough’s crime hotspots. It follows a double stabbing in St Mark’s Road, Mitcham by a gang of 10 teenagers last Friday.

D Sgt Gwam said police were expecting busier evenings tonight and on Saturday, but was confident the operation would be a success.

Areas targeted by the police include the Phipps Bridge and Pollards Hill estates and Mitcham town centre. Last night a mobile police station was also deployed in Figges Marsh, offering extra CCTV coverage of the area.

About 20 officers are taking part in the operation each night. One man, a 21 - year - old from Wallington, was arrested for posession of a knife on Wednesday and bailed to appeal at court at a later date. No arrests were made last night.