Transport police target knife crime during summer holidays » Communities » 24dash.com

More than 60 British Transport Police officers have spent the past week involved in a summer holiday crackdown targeting anti-social behaviour, drug possession and knife-carrying.

BTP Inspector Graham Urry said rail passengers at key transport hubs in London would have noticed an increased presence of officers, including the use of the mobile metal detecting arch – known as Operation Shield – along with the deployment of drug detecting dogs.

Operation Summer Chicago in the first four days of the holiday period has netted 74 arrests for offences including possession of Class A and Class C drugs, public order, theft and possession of an offensive weapon.

Insp Urry said the decision to target the holiday period was because historically offences including provocation of violence, drunk and disorderly behaviour, unacceptable behaviour and other low-level disorder offences were high.

"Last year alone during the holiday period BTP recorded 691 low-level disorder offences across the south," he said.

"We're hopeful that by having this operation in place, along with a high-visibility policing presence, that we can deter those who may be thinking of engaging in anti-social activity from doing so."

Officers have been out in force at Lewisham, Elephant and Castle, Clapham Junction, Wimbledon, East Croydon and Sutton mainline stations throughout the week.

Insp Urry said: "This is the start of an ongoing policing presence for the summer break. Our message is clear - if you engage in criminal activity on the railway, you will be caught."