More than 800 cops launch raid on 24 buildings as part of ‘organised crime’ probe

The raid took place across five counties

A major operation involving close to a thousand police officers took place this morning (Tuesday 29 September) as 17 people were arrested as part of an investigation into a suspected organised crime group.

The raids took place at two dozen properties across five counties - London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

As per the Met Police, one officer was injured during the raids, being stabbed in the leg while carrying out a warrant at an address in Barnet.

His injuries were assessed as non-life changing.

A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of GBH in relation to the stabbing as well as on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, tax evasion, false accounting and failing to disclose suspicion of money laundering.

Police said searches remained under way at a number of properties, with an ongoing police presence expected at some locations for several days.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “These arrests mark a significant point in this investigation. Those arrested are suspected of leading or being involved at a senior level in serious and organised crime and related financial offending.

“We know the impact of serious and organised crime stretches well beyond those at senior levels of the organisations involved. Lines can often be drawn from the top, all the way to those involved in the criminality that blights communities, including serious violence and exploitation.

“Investigating these groups is among the most complex work the Met undertakes. It requires a significant investment of time and money and the expertise not just of specialist police officers but of colleagues from partner organisations like HMRC and the FCA.

“We hope these arrests show how determined we are to ensure organised crime groups cannot operate freely in London. We will work tirelessly to identify them, to gather evidence and to take action.”

A Financial Conduct Authority spokesperson said: “Tackling financial crime requires the type of partnership shown by today’s joint action and the many months of close cooperation leading to it.

“We’ll continue to work with the police and others to identify and disrupt organised crime groups who abuse our financial system to launder dirty money.”

An HMRC spokesperson said: "Today’s action highlights the importance of close collaboration between HMRC and other law enforcement partners in tackling serious and organised crime, including suspected money laundering and other criminal activity."