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Crime Desk
The Metropolitan Police have arrested wanted offenders in a new drive to detain known criminals and remove them from the streets of London. A 48-hour operation, code-named 'Big Wing', saw hundreds of officers making more 1,800 visits searching for people who were wanted by police or who had failed to appear at court. Among those arrested included people who were wanted for failing to attend court charged with grievous bodily harm and robbery. Other suspects, wanted for offences including burglary, domestic violence and for breaching prison licence terms were also arrested.
The operation began in the early hours of Wednesday 21 March with hundreds of officers from London's boroughs, supported by colleagues in specialist teams visiting addresses connected to people who were wanted. This followed days of enquiries and background checks by officers searching the whereabouts of people who were outstanding.
1,845 visits were made across London, and other enquiries conducted, leading to the arrest of 1,065 people.
This week's operation, which saw the MPS's significant resources and skills coming together, is the latest in a series of major operations in London. It follows the first 'Big Wing' warrants operation in December 2011, which saw around 450 wanted people being arrested in two days.
On a daily basis about 80 wanted suspects are arrested by the MPS.
Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne, head of the Met's Territorial Policing, said: "Catching wanted offenders is now a key priority for the MPS, and this week's major action is the latest in a series of big operations which are targeting criminals in London as part of our total war on crime.
"The people picked up in the last few days, weeks and months have either failed to appear at court, jumped bail or are wanted by the police for other crimes. Therefore, it's critical they are relentlessly pursued so they do not escape justice.
"We will not give up in the search to find people who flout the law and we'll use every means available to catch them. This is why we have arrested hundreds and hundreds of wanted people in the last few months.
"To those people that have information about someone who is wanted, we would ask that they contact their local officers or Crimestoppers if they wish to remain anonymous on 0800 555 111. To those who remain wanted by us I advise you to hand yourself in before we knock on your door."
A breakdown of those arrested are:
173 wanted offenders arrested at addresses for failing to appear at court, or recall to prison.
113 wanted offenders arrested elsewhere - e.g. in the street - for failing to appear at court, or recall to prison.
318 outstanding suspects sought in connection with police investigations.
63 other suspects arrested (no breakdown is yet available for how many of these were sought for failing to appear at court or recall to prison, and how may were sought in connection with police investigations).
60 for breaches of court bail - e.g. breach of curfew.
338 persons arrested by Operation Big Wing officers for a variety of offences.
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