An operation to crackdown on crime on transport routes from Croydon to Lambeth has resulted in 73 arrests.

Operation Chicago Two, which ran from Wednesday to Friday saw officers from the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police out in force at West Croydon station.

Officers using drugs dogs and search aisles - mobile metal detectors - patrolled West Croydon station during the operation in a bid to prevent robberies, thefts, aggressive begging and knife crime.

Ticket inspectors were also at the station to crackdown on people travelling without paying the correct fare.

In total more than 200 people were stopped and searched, 122 buses were checked by ticket inspectors and 165 penalty fares were issued.

Chief Superintendent Michael Humphrey, from the Met Police's transport operational command unit: "The transport operational command unit is dedicated to fighting crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour on London bus routes. Together with our Transport for London colleagues, British Transport Police and our Borough colleagues we will carry out operations like this to disrupt, arrest and prosecute those who commit crime and disorder on public transport."

Inspector Graham Urry for the British Transport Police said: "Operation Chicago Two is aimed at targeting criminals who use the railway and other transport routes to move from area to area to commit their crimes.

"Using intelligence about the likely times and days that robberies have happened, we have been able to target those areas where we have historically had a high number of robbery and theft-related crimes.

"By working with partners we can ensure that we are not simply dispersing criminals to other areas or to other modes of transport, but rather stopping and preventing those who target commuters as easy-pickings."

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