MORE than a hundred police officers took part in a weekend of armed operations in Brent to warn anyone planning to acquire or use a gun that their activities will not be tolerated.

Operation Hermes was mounted in the wake of a number of shootings in the borough.

Local officers were joined by members of Scotland Yard's firearms branch, the Territorial Support Group, traffic police search teams and the ongoing anti-gun crime Operation Trident, and immigration officers.

The operation began at 9pm on Friday, May 28, and ran until 4am on the Sunday.

Throughout the Friday and Saturday nights, automated number plate recognition equipment was used, with more than 100 vehicles stopped and a dozen people arrested for possession of drugs, being wanted on warrant and immigration offences.

Two stolen vehicles were recovered, but no firearms were seized.

Borough commander Chief Superintendent Andy Bamber said: "Following a small number of firearms incidents recently in Brent, we are bringing in additional resources to target people we believe could be engaged in violent crime involving firearms.

"We want to reassure local people that we will not tolerate gun crime and that public safety is paramount to us.

"Tackling gun crime is a major priority."