Police Find 16 Weapons On One Bus

12:51pm UK, Tuesday May 20, 2008

Sixteen weapons have been seized from youths as young as 14 who were aboard a bus near to where teenager Jimmy Mizen was murdered.

Six knife were among haul

Six knives, two screwdrivers, a corkscrew, a golf club, a metal baseball bat, a mallet, two wrench handles, a claw hammer and a metal bar were taken from the gang in south east London.

Reports suggest they were preparing for a fight with another gang in another part of the capital.

The bus was stopped in Deptford after police became suspicious of the group who were travelling on the top deck.

Officers boarded the vehicle and told the driver to lock the doors to stop them escaping.

It was driven to Lewisham Police Station where 24 youths aged between 14 and 18 were arrested on suspicion of conspriacy to commit violent disorder.

They have been bailed pending further investigations.

The swoop was part of Operation Blunt 2 which was launched to tackle high levels of serious youth violence, particularly the carrying and use of knives on London's streets.

Chief Insp Jerry Peppin, from the Metropolitan Police, said: "Combating youth violence in Lewisham is our priority. We are determined to rid our streets of potentially dangerous weapons.

"This sends out a clear message to young people who might be tempted to arm themselves - we are watching and we will take action."

The incident happened three miles from where 16-year-old Jimmy bled to death after being stabbed with broken glass while in a bakery.

So far this year 13 teenagers have been murdered in London, nine of whom were stabbed.