POLICE swooped on addresses across the News Shopper area early this morning (July 21), arresting more than a dozen people.

The dawn raids, nicknamed Operation Demon, came after the Met police recovered 50 stolen cars which had previously been taken during overnight burglaries.

Many of the break-ins took place in the Bromley borough when thieves swiped car keys without disturbing the owners sleeping upstairs.

Detective Superintendent Martin Huxley, who co-ordinated the operation from Bromley, said: “We saw a concerning increase in this style of burglary on the borough.

“It was particularly worrying because the victims were at home when the burglary happened.

“Today’s operation has targeted all those suspected of being involved in this criminal network.”

Some of the stolen vehicles were expensive sports cars, with the majority less than a year old.

And police intelligence suggest the burglaries were organised by a criminal car ringing network, commissioning the thefts.

As a result, Operation Demon saw 16 addresses in the London boroughs of Bromley, Bexley, Lewisham and Croydon and west Kent raided in the early hours.

Thirteen people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to handle stolen goods and are currently in custody.

Officers from the Met and Kent police forces seized large amounts of cash, a handgun, seven cars, a variety of spare parts, a quantity of drugs, and numerous mobile phones.

Some of the cash is suspected stolen after being found covered in a bright dye.

Police admit vehicle theft from driveways is responsible for six per cent of total burglaries across London this year - a 36 per cent increase on the previous year.

They warn the problem is concentrated largely in the outer London boroughs because vehicles are more likely to be parked on driveways, making the location of any keys clearer to thieves.

South area commander Maxine De Brunner said: "Vehicle related offences only represent a small proportion of all burglary but it is really concerning that we have seen recent increases in this area.

“Bromley has been disproportionately effected recently with these suspects residing on the borough so we anticipate today's operation will make a real difference.”