Bromley raid publicity makes 12 men give themselves up

Suspected offenders handed themselves in after police publicised their plans to raid homes in south London.

The 24 men voluntarily went to police stations ahead of the 36-hour operation which began at 0600 BST on Tuesday in Bromley.

In total, 45 people were arrested for crimes including robbery, drugs and breaching Sex Offender Orders.

Following the "blitz" police warned they wanted to "put fear" into offenders as they lay in bed at night.

Det Ch Insp Chris Smart, said: "This blitz on wanted people has been really successful and we had filled the cells by lunchtime, with officers queuing up to bring prisoners into custody.

"We will not tolerate the criminal and anti-social who make people's lives a misery and will also pursue prosecutions of anyone who we find harbouring offenders who are wanted by the police.

"We want to put fear into offenders and for them to lie in bed at night and wonder when we are coming through their front door."

Kit Malthouse, deputy mayor for policing, said: "Serious offenders have been removed from our streets and the residents of Bromley can breathe a sigh of relief.

"The fact that 24 criminals handed themselves in once they heard about the raids is remarkable and I want to commend all the hard working officers for arresting some of London's most wanted offenders."