Machete Seized From Suspected Car Vandals

This fearsome weapon was seized by police, who caught two young men suspected of vandalising cars with a baseball bat in south-east London.

They were arrested after a foot-chase by Violent Crime Taskforce (VCTF) officers.

At approximately 6.15pm on Thursday, February 11 officers from the Metropolitan Police's VCTF were called to reports of males armed with baseball bats damaging vehicles in Admiral Close, Orpington.

The calls stated the men were wearing balaclavas and armed with weapons while vandalizing multiple cars in the residential area before making off in a vehicle.

Officers attended the scene and conducted an area search for over an hour before locating a vehicle matching the description.

Upon seeing police, the two men inside the car quickly ran off.

A foot chase ensued before the men - both 22 years of age - were detained and subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. 

They were taken to a south London police station and were bailed to a future date, pending further enquiries.

Officers searched the vehicle and recovered an array of weapons, including the large machete, a baseball bat and a sling shot with ball bearings.

PC Matt Murrant said: “These arrests serve as evidence of the zero-tolerance approach the Met takes towards violence in any form. 

“Thanks to the persistence of these officers, an array of dangerous weapons - including a knife - have been removed from our streets.

“Removing horrendous weapons like these and tackling violent crime remains our top priority. 

“There is no excuse for carrying knives and officers will continue to be out there detecting criminality and bringing those responsible to justice.”