London police launch major operation against organized crime groups, including Turkish mafia, reducing homicides to decade-low levels
London Police Target Crime Gangs to Reduce Homicides
London’s Metropolitan Police have launched a campaign against crime gangs, including the Turkish mafia, to lower the murder rate. A senior detective stated that the goal is to achieve the lowest murder rate in a decade.
Homicide Statistics
| Year | Homicides | Teenage Victims |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 109 | 30 |
| 2025 | 97 | 8 |
There were 97 homicides in London in the year leading to January, down from 109 in 2024. This marks an 11 percent decrease and is a significant improvement from 2021, when 133 people were killed, including 30 teenagers. In 2025, only eight teenagers were among the victims.
Police Strategies
The drop in murder rates is attributed to various tactics. These include increased use of facial recognition technology and education on knife crime for school children. A key part of the police strategy is dismantling organized crime groups, especially those involved in drug trafficking.
Detective Chief Superintendent Rick Sewart identified gangs like the Turkish heroin trafficking group Bombacilar and their rivals, the Tottenham Boys, as major targets. He stated, “The Turkish gangs are the number one threat to the UK and London in terms of firearms.”
Firearms Recovery
Sewart mentioned collaboration with Europol and the National Crime Agency to address the supply of firearms. One operation, which began in 2024, led to the recovery of 138 firearms and 2,500 rounds of ammunition from a Turkish organized crime group.
In 2012, Ali Armagan, 32, the head of a Turkish crime family, was shot dead outside Turnpike Lane station. Sewart noted ongoing feuds between significant crime groups, particularly in north and east London.
County Lines Operations
Sewart explained that county lines operations exploit young teenagers to sell drugs. These young people often face violence from rival gangs, leading to injuries or fatalities. On Friday, Metro participated in a dawn raid targeting a County Lines suspect linked to the ‘Adam line’.
More than 20 officers surrounded the suspect’s home in north London as part of Operation Yamata. The 35-year-old man has been charged with supplying heroin and crack cocaine.
Impact of Police Actions
Sewart stated that police tactics have successfully intercepted county lines operations and closed numerous drug lines. This has increased the number of recovered weapons by 75 percent over the past year, aided by more stop-and-search activities.
Future Outlook
Regarding the decline in the murder rate, Sewart expressed confidence that the trend is downward. However, he noted that it is unrealistic to expect no murders, as other motives, such as domestic issues, also contribute to homicides.
On the Met’s commitment to addressing Violence Against Women and Girls, Sewart highlighted that women are often exploited and may also be victims of domestic violence. He emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to tackle these issues.
