Dawn raids this morning saw 180 officers arrest 10 men and a woman in a huge operation to smash a Hackney gang peddling heroin and crack cocaine.

Most of those arrested who are aged between 14 and 62 are thought to be active gang members according to the police, and were targeted for their suspected involvement in recent incidents involving serious violence, including firearms offences within the borough.

Heroin, crack cocaine and cash were seized, as well as 30 cannabis plants found growing at a home in Thomson Court in Clifton Grove, Dalston.

Most of the 10 warrants executed from 5.30am were in homes in and around Amhurst Road.

Det Insp Yvonne Brown, from Trident Central Gangs Unit which led the huge operation, said the arrests should serve as a clear message to those who think they are above the law.

She said: “Drug dealing can only operate in an environment where fear or threat of violence is prevalent, and the criminal activity of those arrested has blighted the local area and caused misery to residents.”

Acting Det Ch Insp Dan Brown, from Hackney’s gangs unit, which assisted the operation and helped identify those targeted, added: “The results from this collaboration speak for themselves, with several gang members being arrested for serious offences including the supply of class A drugs.

“The street level drugs market is directly linked to gang violence in the borough, so it is important that we listen to our residents and take positive action.

“We have a simple message to gang members - if you want to change we will help you. If you don’t, and you choose to commit acts of violence, we will challenge you through enforcement.”

Addresses targeted were in Evelyn Court in Amhurst Road, Mathias House in Howard Road, Stoke Newington, the Pond Farm Estate in Millfields Road, Lower Clapton, Sandringham Road, Dalston, Manse Road, Stoke Newington and out of the borough in Bartram Road, Lewisham and Woodmansterne Road, Streatham.

Arrests were made for a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A drugs, cultivating cannabis, and burglary.

The Met’s territorial support group and dogs unit, as well as the central criminal finances team and safer neighbourhoods teams also took part in the operation, which formed part of a continued crackdown on gang violence across the capital.