More than 240 knives and weapons have been taken off the streets of London and 44 people arrested in a week-long Met-wide crackdown on crime.

Weapon sweeps, patrols and early-morning raids were deployed in a six day effort to 'drive down violent crime and the carrying of knives across London.'

Operation Sceptre saw officers from across the Met Police teamed up with the British Transport Police for the week of action between November 9 and 15.

The operation is a national campaign that brings police forces together in a coordinated period of intensification to tackle knife crime and wider violence, and the results saw the recovery of 187 knives, 58 other offensive weapons, the seizing of 564 drugs and illegal items and 1,002 arrests.

Surrey Comet:

The week saw police patrol the capital using specially trained officers Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to catch those with criminal intent, or supplying drugs on the roads.

Uniformed and plain-clothed BTP officers also patrolled the rail network alongside colleagues from the Met Police, deploying knife arches and drug detection dogs to deter and apprehend offenders in and around transport hubs.

READ MORE: Eight people arrested in series of police operations at Woolwich line stations

Surrey Comet:

From Monday 9 November to Sunday 15 November in the London and South East region, officers at these transport hubs made 44 arrests, conducted 258 searches and seized 12 weapons and £1,940 in cash.

Surrey Comet:

Alongside enforcement, the Met said they are focused on education and prevention, and during the operation 44 adults and children were referred to intervention programmes.

Commander Jane Connors, the Met’s Violence Lead, said: “The results we have seen from just one week alone are staggering, and clearly shows our officers are relentlessly doing all they can to reduce knife crime and violence in the capital.

“The proactivity and range of tactics used has meant that 187 knives have been removed from the streets – the stark reality is that these could have been used to seriously injure or kill someone’s son or daughter.

“Although Operation Sceptre has drawn to a close, please be assured that this activity will continue into the winter months and we will not take our foot off the gas.

“We see the devastating impact that losing a family member; friend; or colleague, to knife crime has – which is why maintaining our focus on violence remains our top priority.”

Officers from across the organisation were involved in the operation, including local officers across all London boroughs and Violence Suppression Units combined with specialist teams such as the Violent Crime Taskforce; Operation Venice and Roads and Transport Policing.

Surrey Comet:

British Transport Police Superintendent, Mark Lawrie, said: “Over the course of the week we worked closely with other police forces across the region to proactively tackle and prevent violent crime on the network.

“Fortunately knife and violent crime is rare on the rail network. Our aim is to stop criminals before violence can take place, that’s why our officers carry out proactive operations such as Sceptre.

“It’s important to remember that the travelling public are our eyes and ears. If you ever see anything suspicious, or anything that doesn’t feel right, you can text us discreetly on 61016.”

In total, between Monday, November 9 and Sunday, November 15 across the country, the operation saw:

2,900 weapon sweeps

- 69 warrants executed

- 187 knives recovered

- 58 other offensive weapons recovered

- 564 drugs and illegal items seized

- 1,002 arrests