A man has been arrested in Furzedown as part of an operation by officers in south London which resulted in two arrests and firearm being recovered.

At around 02:00hrs on Saturday, 28 November, officers from the South West and South Area Command Units executed warrants at a two addresses; one in Ribblesdale Road, SW16 and the other in Norbury Avenue, Thornton Heath.

Two men – both aged 21 – were arrested at each address on suspicion of robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to cause violence.

Both remain in custody.

Officers recovered a handgun from a vehicle during the searches at Norbury Avenue – this will be sent for testing to confirm if it is a live weapon.

The raids were as a result of a linked series of three robberies committed across part of east and south London between 29 September and 23 November.

The suspects would respond to for sale ads for items such as expensive mobile phones and then arrange to meet the victims – on arrival, the suspects would intimate they were in possession of a firearm and rob them.

Detective Inspector Andy Griffin from the South West CID said:

"These arrests are the result of some fast-time investigative work following a series of robberies where violence was intimated and the victims genuinely feared for their safety.

"It is an example of great collaborative working from units across the MPS, including colleagues from South Area BCU, our firearms team and intelligence units.

"Two men have been arrested and our work will continue to ensure those involved face the legal consequences of their actions."