Police have arrested 70 suspected organised criminals in a month by using number plate recognition in a bid to identify offenders.
The success was achieved by logging intelligence on the vehicles used by wanted people and other suspects on fixed automatic number plate recognition cameras at locations around the capital.
Officers were then deployed whenever a “ping” indicated the vehicle had passed the camera so that they could track down and arrest the suspect.
The operation, which involved officers from City of London and British Transport police as well as the Met, is now being extended because of its success.
Met Chief Inspector Jim Corbett, who led the operation, said it had been “all about denying criminals access to operate” on London’s road network.
He added: “The results are fantastic, with a number offenders being apprehended.”
Those arrested were held for offences including possession of knives or other offensive weapons; and firearms, intent to supply drugs and money laundering.
Some have already been charged with investigations continuing in other cases as forensic evidence is examined.
Mr Corbett also urged the public to help officers by providing tip-offs about people known to, or are suspected of carrying weapons and those exploiting young people to carry out crime.
Meanwhile, in a separate success a man who was caught by police after dumping a black Armani “manbag” containing a revolver and five rounds of ammunition has been jailed for five years.
Aristotle Omar, 23, of Wellington Avenue in north London, had pleaded guilty at Wood Green crown court to possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
The Met said the gun and bullets he was carrying “could very easily have been used to seriously injure or kill someone”.
