More than a thousand police officers have taken part in dawn raids on suspected burglars today.
The operation in North and East London is the latest stage of a crackdown which has already seen stolen items returned to their rightful owners.
Ronke Phillips reports.
Area Commander Stephen Watson says Somalis in the capital have expressed "great concern" that young men from their community were among suspects in this morning's raids.
The Met said they have arrested 66 people so far following the raids this morning in east and north London.
Nicholas Mitchison, 85, and his wife Lorna, 81, talk about how they were helped by Operation Carbon after thieves targeted their home last year. Their computers were recovered in a previous series of raids that the Met carried out.
– Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets"We have been pleased to support the police in their activities this morning. This operation has targeted persistent offenders whose actions have had serious implications for their victims.
"Tower Hamlets Council is committed to tackling crime, with local partnership working such as this operation with the police making a real difference for local people."
The Met Police has said they will continue to a carry out raids on suspected criminals in North and East London where today's searches took place. This morning's operation was carried out in conjunction with Tower Hamlets Council.
– Detective Chief Inspector Des McHugh"These arrests follow a lengthy intelligence-led operation designed to combat criminal networks within Tower Hamlets and the surrounding boroughs. "The operation has targeted those concerned in burglary, robbery, handling stolen goods and drugs. Other key suspects have previously been arrested and there will be further searches and arrests to come."
The Metropolitan Police has carried out the largest ever number of coordinated raids on addresses in London this morning involving over 1000 officers. 75 addresses were targeted as police aimed to arrest suspects believed to be involved in burglary and drug offences.
The raids, which are part of the Met's Operation Carbon, seized a haul of electrical goods, including smart phones and laptops, which are all believed to have been stolen from across London.
The Metropolitan Police has updated the number of arrests and drugs seized as part of Operation Hawk, the anti-drugs initiative launched today.
Arrests: 284
Warrants executed: 302
Cannabis Plants Seized: 2658
Cannabis Factories closed: 35
Over £2.6million worth of cannabis seized.
Toby Sadler joined police officers closing down a cannabis factory in Dulwich as part of the Met's Operation Hawk.
Police have now updated the number of arrests made during today's drugs operation to 150. They added they have now closed down 23 cannabis factories.
