Police arrest 17 in big operation concentrating on suspected organised crime group: More than 800 officers deployed in daybreak raids throughout London and 4 counties

On Sep 29, 2026

Seventeen people were arrested by the Metropolitan Police this morning, after dawn raids by more than 800 officers across 24 properties.

The dawn swoop was part of an investigation by specialist Met detectives working alongside HMRC and the Financial Conduct Authority into a suspected organised crime group.

Properties in London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk were searched, and there is expected to be an ongoing police presence for some days.

One officer taking part in the operation was stabbed in the leg while carrying out a warrant at an address in Cockfosters.

He was treated at the scene by colleagues and paramedics before being taken to hospital. His injuries are non-life changing, police said this morning.

The Met Police said the arrests were ‘the product of many months of intense investigation’ by specialist Met detectives working alongside HMRC and the FCA.

Officers from HMRC and the FCA are supporting the Met with ongoing searches at the addresses.

Alongside 17 arrests, the wider operation saw the FCA disrupt seven firms. They announced this morning that they were pursuing a further 30.

More than 800 Met Police officers were deployed to conduct searches across 24 properties this morning (stock image)

The youngest person arrested was a 26-year-old man on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, tax evasion and false accounting.

The oldest was a 65-year-old man on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to commit GBH, money laundering and tax evasion.

It Hertfordshire, police have blocked the road to the sprawling property and have been coming in and out all day.

A marked police car is guarding a large set of metal gates which open to a huge drive.

The vast property, also said to include a swimming pool, outbuildings and a gym, can be seen from the road.

Dozens of police officers could still be seen at the property this afternoon.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: ‘These arrests mark a significant point in this investigation.

‘Those arrested are suspected of leading or being involved at a senior level in serious and organised crime and related financial offending.

‘We know the impact of serious and organised crime stretches well beyond those at senior levels of the organisations involved. Lines can often be drawn from the top, all the way to those involved in the criminality that blights communities, including serious violence and exploitation.

‘Investigating these groups is among the most complex work the Met undertakes. It requires a significant investment of time and money and the expertise not just of specialist police officers but of colleagues from partner organisations like HMRC and the FCA.

‘We hope these arrests show how determined we are to ensure organised crime groups cannot operate freely in London. We will work tirelessly to identify them, to gather evidence and to take action.’

A Financial Conduct Authority spokesperson said: ‘Tackling financial crime requires the type of partnership shown by today’s joint action and the many months of close cooperation leading to it.

‘We’ll continue to work with the police and others to identify and disrupt organised crime groups who abuse our financial system to launder dirty money.’

An HMRC spokesperson said: ‘Today’s action highlights the importance of close collaboration between HMRC and other law enforcement partners in tackling serious and organised crime, including suspected money laundering and other criminal activity.’

Those arrested include:

A 65-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to commit GBH, money laundering, tax evasion
A 31-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of: conspiracy to commit GBH, participating in the activities of an organised crime group
A 56-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: GBH (in relation to the stabbing of the police officer), participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, tax evasion, false accounting, failure to disclose suspicion of money laundering
A 64-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, failure to disclose suspicion of money laundering
A 56-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, false accounting, tax evasion
A 47-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, false accounting, tax evasion, contravening Regulation 86 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017
A 31-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, false accounting, tax evasion, contravening Regulation 86 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017
A 30-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, false accounting, tax evasion, contravening Regulation 86 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017
A 26-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering, tax evasion, false accounting
A 49-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group
A 47-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to commit GBH
A 37-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to commit GBH
A 43-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: participating in the activities of an organised crime group, money laundering
A 41-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of: money laundering, tax evasion
A 39-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: money laundering
A 38-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: money laundering
A 39-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of: money laundering, cheating the public