Officer stabbed during Barnet dawn raid

A police officer was stabbed in the leg during a dawn raid in Cockfosters, Barnet, on Tuesday morning. The officer was injured while executing a warrant at a property as part of a large-scale operation. Colleagues and paramedics provided initial treatment before the officer was taken to hospital. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the injuries were not life-changing.

Widespread arrests in organised crime crackdown

The stabbing occurred as more than 800 officers conducted simultaneous raids at 24 properties across London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Suffolk. Seventeen people were arrested in total. The operation, led by Metropolitan Police detectives, involved collaboration with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Those arrested are suspected of involvement at senior levels within an organised crime group engaged in serious and financial offences. Eleven of the arrested individuals face accusations of money laundering. Other alleged offences include tax evasion and false accounting. The ages of those arrested range from 26 to 65, comprising 15 men and two women.

A 56-year-old man was taken into custody on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in relation to the stabbing of the police officer. The FCA has also disrupted seven firms as part of the wider investigation and is pursuing an additional 30.

Partnership tackling financial crime

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that the arrests represent a significant development in the investigation, underscoring the complexity of tackling such groups. The force highlighted the extensive time, resources, and expertise required, involving specialist officers and partner agencies. The aim is to prevent organised crime groups from operating freely in London.

The Financial Conduct Authority spokesperson emphasised the importance of joint action and prolonged cooperation in combating financial crime. They confirmed ongoing collaboration with police and other bodies to identify and disrupt organised crime groups exploiting the financial system for money laundering.

An HMRC spokesperson also noted the significance of close collaboration between HMRC and law enforcement partners in addressing serious and organised crime, including suspected money laundering and other illicit activities.

What happens next

The 17 individuals arrested are currently in police custody. Investigations by the Metropolitan Police, HMRC, and the FCA are ongoing.