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Bernard Hogan-Howe joins Operation Big Wing at Lambeth Bridge

London SE1 website team

Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe visited Lambeth Bridge on Wednesday afternoon where police officers were using automatic numberplate recognition to catch uninsured drivers.

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe joined the crackdown on uninsured drivers at Lambeth Bridge
Bernard Hogan-Howe joins Operation Big Wing at Lambeth Bridge
Officers from Westminster and Lambeth as well as London-wide police squads took part in the high-profile exercise on Lambeth Bridge

The commissioner's visit was part of Operation Big Wing, a London-wide day of action by the police which by 2.30pm had resulted in nearly 250 arrests.

"Gang violence, drugs and knife crime are serious, high harm crimes that can sadly have a devastating and lasting effect on local communities; however, there are also many other issues which might be seen as 'lower level' offences, such as anti-social behaviour or uninsured drivers, that we know can and do blight the daily lives of too many people," said Chief Superintendent Simon Letchford.

"Today's operation is about showing Londoners that we have listened to their concerns and we are committed to taking robust preventative and disruptive action to stop this criminal activity and make their communities safer.

"It's also about warning those intent on breaking the law and engaging in criminal activity that we will be doing everything we can to stop them, and wherever possible we will be putting them before the courts.

"Officers from every part of the Met have been mobilised and will be out and about on your streets today, tackling the crimes that affect your neighbourhood.

" You will see police carrying out licensing checks, uninsured vehicle checks, executing search warrants and patrolling your local transport hubs throughout the day. "

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