HUNDREDS of police took to the streets of Lewisham to target gun crime as part of an operation which saw more than 80 arrests.

Operation Vezere involved 700 officers in raids on homes and businesses linked to gun and drug crime in the largest operation of its kind ever to take place in the borough.

Planned for three months, the week-long operation culminated in a huge raid in the area surrounding the Flower of Kent pub, in Lewisham Way.

During the October 22 raid officers sealed off a 100 metre cordon around the pub while every person inside the perimeter was searched using high-tech machines which detect guns, other weapons and drugs.

The co-ordinated raids using drugs dogs and search teams saw officers targeting the pub as well as Mr West's Top Class West Indies takeaway and Tony's Elite Barbers.

The overall operation resulted in 15 guns being seized, including a silenced pistol which officers believe could have been used in killings, plus 5,000 Ecstasy tablets, half a kilogram of heroin and large quantities of crack cocaine.

Searches and raids have been taking place across the borough for three weeks in preparation for the operation and successes have included the discovery of 6,500 marijuana plants at a factory in Sydenham on October 7.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Cunneen said: "Undoubtedly Lewisham is a safer place and we've got the message across that we won't tolerate these sorts of crimes and that has impacted on offenders.

"There was intense activity during the week and we're already seeing the results of that."

He said that word of the operation had already filtered into criminal groups and that bars and clubs associated with drugs and guns have been quieter than usual, which might explain why no weapons were found during the final raid on October 22.

Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Archie Torrance, said: "Reducing gun crime is a priority for Lewisham Police.

"People who carry guns in Lewisham will not be tolerated, either by the local community or by police. If you are caught carrying a firearm, you will go to prison. The mandatory minimum sentence for carrying a firearm is five years."

If you have any information about gun crime call Lewisham Police on 0208 690 1212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.