Police officer stabbed in leg during raids on suspected organised crime gang
The raids took place across five counties this morning
A police officer was stabbed in the leg during dawn raids in London and across four counties on a suspected organised crime gang.
Twenty-four addresses were raided early on Tuesday, with 17 people arrested on suspicion of a raft of offences including participating in the activities of an organised crime gang, and money laundering.
Raids took place in the English capital as well as Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. The officer was stabbed in Cockfosters, Barnet, north London.
They were taken to hospital and their injury is not life-changing, the Metropolitan Police said.
The arrests come as part of an investigation by the Met along with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The Met said the FCA has “disrupted” seven businesses and is “actively pursuing” another 30.
A spokesperson said: “These arrests mark a significant point in this investigation.
“Those arrested are suspected of leading or being involved at a senior level in serious and organised crime and related financial offending.
“We know the impact of serious and organised crime stretches well beyond those at senior levels of the organisations involved.
“Lines can often be drawn from the top, all the way to those involved in the criminality that blights communities, including serious violence and exploitation.
“Investigating these groups is among the most complex work the Met undertakes.
“It requires a significant investment of time and money and the expertise not just of specialist police officers but of colleagues from partner organisations like HMRC and the FCA.
“We hope these arrests show how determined we are to ensure organised crime groups cannot operate freely in London. We will work tirelessly to identify them, to gather evidence and to take action.”
In total, 17 people were arrested – 15 men aged between 26 and 65, and two women aged 31 and 41.
Twelve men and one woman were held on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
Other offences included money laundering, cheating the public revenue, false accounting, and conspiracy to commit GBH.
A 56-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of GBH over the stabbing.