6 days ago
Moment police smash sword-wielding teenage robbery gang that has 'terrorised passengers on London Underground'
This is the moment police raided the homes of a sword-wielding robbery gang suspected of terrorising passengers on the London Underground.
Sixty officers from British Transport Police (BTP) stormed the properties in East London last month as part of a major crackdown on violence and robberies across the capital's transport network.
In one raid in Newham, officers in riot gear rushed inside, arrested the suspect, and placed him in handcuffs.
He is alleged to have targeted nine passengers between West Ham station and Grays in Essex, with police finding a samurai sword in his brother's bedroom.
Later, officers smashed the door of a townhouse in Dagenham where a 16-year-old lived with his mother and sister.
After searches at a third address, a second sword was also seized by officers.
The busts formed part of a wider BTP operation to dismantle the teenage gang, which officers say has been linked to 51 robberies in just two months, with phones and luxury watches snatched across east London.
The 3am raids on July 23 saw police simultaneously target four properties, followed by searches at two more addresses.
Six teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery, and theft. All have since been bailed until October.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, 72 per cent of known robbery offenders on the network were aged 18 or under, according to the force, with both victims and suspects often in their teens.
Police say more than 100 young offenders committed at least two robberies each within the same 12-month period.
Just days after the raids under Operation Flycatcher, officers launched a further week of action targeting serial robbery suspects across the capital.
Over four days, thirteen more teens were arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery, theft, and possession of an offensive weapon.
Chief Inspector Nick Brandon said: 'The public's safety is our number one priority, and we work tirelessly throughout the year and around the clock to keep the travelling public safe.
The busts formed part of a wider BTP operation to dismantle the teenage gang, which officers say has been linked to 51 robberies in just two months
'The ages of the offenders is extremely concerning, and we hope that seeing other kids face the consequences of their actions will turn some would-be robbers away from a life of criminality.
'We have one offender who, in the last policing year, is linked to 19 separate robbery offences. This is why we encourage every victim of robbery, or those who have seen a robbery take place, to report it to us.
'Every report we receive can help to direct our patrols to where they are most needed to keep the public safe, so if you need us talk to a member of staff or an officer, or text us on 61016.
'Our message is clear; if you commit a robbery on the railway network and seek to profit at the detriment of others, we will do everything in our power to secure justice for the victims.'
