Emmanuel Ijelu, 21 and Ayo Ijelu, 18, both from Oswald’s Mead, Lindisfarne Way, Homerton, have been charged with possessing a prohibited weapon - namely a double barrelled up-and-over sawn off shot gun, which had a barrel less than 30cm in length.

Two Hackney men have been charged with possession of a double-barrelled sawn-off shot gun.

They appeared at Thames Magistrates Court last Thursday and have been remanded in custody to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on July 18.

Their arrests came after a raid carried out by Hackney’s Operation Bantam firearms unit and Trident gang crime command yesterday, as part of a London-wide operation cracking down on gang crime.

In total 72 arrests across 20 boroughs were made for a range of offences including robbery, kidnap, assault, gun enabled GBH, possession with intent to supply class ‘A’ drugs (heroin) and Class ‘B’ drugs (cannabis).

A hand gun and ammunition were also recovered in Hackney, an imitation handgun was recovered in Ealing, and another firearm in Islington.

Trident, which tackles gang violence, was assisted by the Territorial Support Group (TSG) and SCO19 Specialist Firearms unit.

Det Ch Supt Dean Haydon, Head of the Trident Gang Crime Command, said: “Yesterday saw a tremendous effort from Trident and local officers across the Met targeting gang members who blight their communities with their criminal activities.

“This was a fantastic result and has led to four firearms taken off the streets of London.

“This is work which continues day in and day out across the capital however large scale operations such as these play a major part in the fight against gang violence and demonstrate very clearly to London’s communities and in particular gang members that Trident is still here, still targeting violent gang members and still committed to the prevention of shootings.”

He added: “For those involved who seek a better life, a life away from gangs - through our partners, community and voluntary groups we will seek to help them into education, employment and a more positive life path.”