Adhesive weapons and a “significant quantity” of ammunition have been seized by police during a raid in the south-east of the country. London.
The metropolitan police six handguns, a shotgun and a melee weapon recovered from a site in Abbey Wood during the early hours of Wednesday morning as part of an ongoing investigation known as Operation Viper.
Officers also found an assortment of ammunition at the site, as well as in a nearby forest.
Operation Viper is led by detectives who specialize in firearms intelligence, and they were joined on the raid by colleagues from, among others, the Territorial support group and firearms command.
The recovered weapons have been taken for forensic examination, which is still ongoing.
Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Collins, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said the search was part of the force’s efforts to tackle violent crime.
He said: “This operation has removed a significant number of deadly firearms from circulation, preventing some potentially serious consequences.
“Violent crime has a devastating and lasting impact on victims and the wider community. That’s why officers work day in and day out to dismantle organized crime gangs that facilitate the import, manufacture and transport of firearms in the UK.
“I would like to thank the local community for their patience, understanding and assistance during this operation.
“I do not underestimate the impact of such activity on local residents.
“Most of the shootings in London are linked to street gangs and organized crime groups, so the chances of being a victim of gun crime are slim if you are not associated with these groups.”
Mr Collins added that communities can help police tackle gun crime by providing information about people they believe may be involved and where firearms are stored.