A man in his 40s has been arrested after nine vehicles were seized during a police operation in Abbey Wood.

Officers raided a block of garages which are owned by Greenwich Council on March 23 following reports of suspected illegal mechanics.

Police found nine vehicles which were SORN, cars with no tax or MOT, and others that were likely being used for scrap at the site.

An old caravan and a pick-up truck were also found during the operation.

There was evidence the garages were being used to run a mechanics business, according to Greenwich Council.

The operation which was led by the Council’s tenancy and repairs, environmental crime within street services, and safer spaces teams took more than four hours to complete.

The operation to remove the illegal vehicles cost the Council around £5,000.

Councillor Jackie Smith, cabinet member for community safety and enforcement said: “I’m incredibly proud of our teams and their hard work during this operation, not to mention all the work they do, to keep our residents safe as part of our integrated enforcement approach.

“This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable and anyone who operates without regard for the law, or the safety of our residents, will face consequences.”

Neighbours had previously complained of noise disturbances late at night.

Most vehicles have now been removed with many marked to be crushed unless claimed in the next three weeks.

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletters to get updates sent straight to your inbox.