A suspected teenage robber has been arrested in Croydon as part of the Metropolitan Police’s crackdown on burglary, robbery and violent crime.

The 18-year-old man was taken to a south London police station after a woman had her gold chain stolen while walking along Lloyd Park Avenue at about 10.15am.

He was arrested by officers patrolling the area as part of Operation Target, a renewed drive by police to tackle crime against people and property across the capital.

The officers, who were flagged down by a witness and alerted to what had happened, searched the teenager before taking him in for questioning.

His arrest follows a number of similar incidents where female victims have had jewellery stolen from them.

The Met believed Operation Target is one of the most significant initiatives of its kind it has ever conducted, and hopes it will lead to significant, long term reductions in robbery, burglary and violent crime.

More than 1,300 people have already been arrested and almost 2,500 operational activities carried out since the initiative was launched on June 8.

In operations carried out so far officers have made arrests for offences including robbery, grievous bodily harm, drug dealing and burglary.

Property already recovered has included sat navs, mobile phones and gallons of wine, while officers have also seized firearms, knives and other weapons.

Enhanced uniformed patrols have increased the police’s presence on the streets and in communities which suffer disproportionate levels of neighbourhood crime.