16-year-old among suspected gang members arrested in ‘rent-a-gun’ firearms sting

Ten people between 16 and 20 have been arrested for offences including conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit GBH with intent across east London, Kent and Essex

More then 350 officers were involved in arrests across east London, Kent and Essex. (Getty Images)

A 16-year-old has been arrested as one of 10 suspected gang members allegedly involved in ‘renting’ firearms for use in revenge attacks in London.

More than 350 officers executed 11 firearms warrants to arrest a number of “rent-a-gun” suspects across east London, Kent and Essex on Wednesday morning, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers began "Operation Wordwell" in September 2020 following a number of shootings and stabbings in Barking, east London.

Multiple properties in Barking, one in Canterbury, Kent and Harwich, and another in Essex were searched.

The latest arrests came after the Met identified a criminal gang was planning violent attacks on other individuals using "lethal firearms".

Ten young people, aged between 16 and 20, have been arrested for offences including conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit GBH with intent.

They have been taken into custody at a police station in east London.

Specialist firearms officers from the Met, as well as Essex and Kent Police, supported by officers from the Met’s Taskforce, Specialist Crime syndicates and East Area BCU, were used to carry out the warrants safely.

Four firearms recovery dogs also supported the operation.

Detective Superintendent Paul Trevers, who led the operation, said it has taken “months of hard work and dedication,” following a number of violent incidents in east London.

He added: “By linking the offences, officers realised that one criminal gang were planning violent attacks on other individuals and by making these pre-planned arrests today, we have been able to thwart a criminal gang involved in the use of lethal firearms.”

“This is another in the line of ongoing operations targeting violent offenders and I hope it goes some way in reassuring everyone that East Area BCU, with the support of MPS specialist officers as well as colleagues from other forces, continue to work tirelessly to stop the supply of guns, and associated criminality across London and into county forces.”

Chief Inspector Darren Deex, of Essex Police, said: "In working with the Metropolitan Police today, not only have we supported colleagues to make an arrest, we have helped make Essex that little bit safer.

"Our residents know that we will always take action to remove firearms and weapons off our streets and bring those who carry or use them to justice, and we take pride in knowing the community supports us in that aim.

"There is no place for such violence in our county."

Additional reporting from PA