Two men arrested in Gang Crime undercover unit operation

Chiswick was the centre of an armed police operation last night (17 July) in the Chiswick Common area as police from the Tridant Gang Crime unit tracked down two suspects.

Following a chase and search on the Common, two men were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent in endanger life.

The police search yielded a semi-automatic gun and eight rounds of ammunition.

Local people described how the area near the Underground bridge on Fisher's Lane and along the Common was being taped off from lamp post to lamp post shortly before 10pm.

Three buses were stopped at the scene which was then closed off to traffic. A number of armed plain clothes officers were in the area and a 4x4 vehicle was parked diagonally across the road.

A resident out walking described seeing sniffer dogs and camera lights flashing. He also observed policemen with torches searching the undergrowth.

"Then two cars drove towards us over the grass from the centre of Chiswick Common - a Jaguar XF and a BMW X5 joined by another Jag from a different direction. They were "Plain clothes", no lights, no sound," he said.

One local man told him that he was unable to get to his car because there was a gun on the pavement near it.

Due to the lateness of the hour, the area was not as busy as usual. Chiswick Common is a popular short cut for commuters from the Underground at Turnham Green going towards the Fisher's Lane and High Road area. During the day it is also full of people enjoying the sun, or children playing sports. The Common is also close to a residential area and there is a children's playground on the other side of Fisher's Lane, and a multi-sports facility at Rocks Lane.

One man who was playing football at Rocks Lane said he saw what looked like armed police officers apprehending someone. "It looked like a scene out of 24!" he said.

Later in the operation, three marked police vehicles appeared on the scene though no sirens were used.

Two suspects were apprehended and led away from the scene in handcuffs.

The police said: "Following an intelligence led operation, officers from Trident Gang Crime Command arrested a two men on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent in endanger life on Chiswick Common."


A semi-automatic gun and eight rounds of ammunition were recovered at the scene.

Two men are currently in custody at a west London police station.

Enquiries continue.

July 18, 2014