Barking and Dagenham’s two most wanted offenders were arrested during the latest stage of a mammoth Met-wide operation.

Operation Big Wing targeted burglary, theft and similar crimes across London and saw Barking and Dagenham Police enjoy its most successful day since the crackdown began.

The offensive, on Thursday April 24, involved more than 3,300 officers, Safer Transport Command and specialist units, including the Territorial Support Group and Dogs Unit.

The borough’s police made 27 arrests for a range of offences including burglary, domestic assaults, production of controlled drugs and theft from motor vehicles.

The initiative targeted suspected burglars and thieves plus the recovery of suspected stolen goods.

Barking and Dagenham officers carried out spot-checks at stores where thieves could try to sell on stolen goods, while high-visibility and plain clothes patrols took place at robbery and burglary hot spots.

Within the first hour police arrested the borough’s most wanted offender, who was taken to court the same morning to answer for his five outstanding warrants.

Later in the day, Barking and Dagenham’s second most wanted person was also apprehended for vehicle crime offences.

Insp Nick Harrold, who led the borough’s response, said: “This was a huge team effort from officers and staff, and shows we will continue to track down all offenders and suspects in order to make Barking and Dagenham a safer place for everyone to live and work.”

Other activity included Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations, street briefings and crime prevention events at transport hubs, libraries and shopping centres, with officers advising the public how to protect their homes and valuables.

Commander Mak Chishty, who led the entire operation, said: “The Met is committed to driving down crime and its generators in London.

“Crimes like burglary, robbery and theft have a huge impact on the people who are victims.

“Work continues day-in and day-out to target those responsible and the networks they use to sell on stolen property, but big, highly visible operations like today play a major part in the fight against crime and demonstrate there is no hiding place for criminals.”

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