Police arrested 21 of London's most dangerous gangsters

Police arrested 21 of London's most dangerous gangsters during a series of dawn raids today.

Eight gangs were targeted in a huge operation involving hundreds of officers. It came as the Met announced it has compiled a database of more than 1,000 of the most active and violent criminals.

The raids on 41 homes in seven boroughs - part of efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks - also saw the seizure of drugs and £10,000 in cash. The 21 men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs are aged between 15 and 35.

The Standard joined more than 20 riot officers from the Territorial Support Group as they smashed down the door of a Battersea flat and arrested a man in his thirties. Sources said he was believed to be a senior figure in the SUK (Stick'em Up Kids) gang.

At another address officers found 30 drug wraps and dealing kits. Deputy Mayor Kit Malthouse, who attended the raids, said: "These are all about taking out the really wicked individuals luring young people into gangs. We want to hammer the gangs in London and get them off the streets."

Other gangs thought to have been targeted by the Met today include a Mitcham-based group known as Terror Zone. Detective Superintendent Mick McNally said: "All of the people arrested have links to gang violence."

Territorial Policing Commander Steve Rodhouse said: "Today's raids demonstrate our determination to continue dismantling the gang networks responsible for a disproportionate amount of criminality in London."