Lambeth flat raided, man arrested over imported weapons

A man in his twenties was arrested on Tuesday, August 25, following a police raid on a flat in Lambeth. Officers from the Metropolitan Police executed a dawn warrant at the property on Wandsworth Road, using a circular saw to gain entry. The arrest was made on suspicion of importing prohibited weapons into the UK.

Weapons discovered

During the operation, which began shortly after 5am, officers discovered ten knives within the flat. These included lock knives and flick knives. It is alleged that the suspect was involved in the importation of such weapons from China, with banned zombie knives also reportedly seized by Border Force.

Police statement

Detective Chief Inspector Kara Moulds stated that the seized knives have no place on London's streets. She commented, "They are specifically designed to inflict serious harm, which is why our officers are relentlessly targeting those suspected of bringing them into our communities." She added, "Every knife we seize is one less weapon that can be used to threaten, injure or kill. By taking them off the streets and bringing offenders to justice, we’re making London safer for everyone."

Context of knife crime

Zombie knives and machetes were banned in 2024. Between July 2025 and August of this year, more than 14,500 weapons were surrendered to Government-backed amnesty bins. The number of homicides involving a knife or sharp instrument recorded annually by police in England and Wales fell to its lowest level for 35 years in the year to the end of March 2026, with 176 such killings recorded, a 14% decrease from the previous year.