21 arrests at Elephant & Castle rail station in summer crackdown

Officers say that most of the arrests at the Elephant & Castle were for drug-related offences. Several people with outstanding arrest warrants were also detained.

More than 70 officers took part in the holiday crackdown, called Operation Summer Chicago, which resulted in 223 arrests at stations across South London.

"The operation involved officers at key transport hubs, including the deployment of metal detecting arches and drug detecting dogs," explains Supt Martin Fry.

"Our key aims were to disrupt criminal elements and deter disorder by targeting transport interchanges during the summer holidays and to create a safer environment for people travelling and working on the railways."

10 weapons were seized during the six-week operation, including two imitation firearms, knives and a knuckleduster.

The BTP claims that the small number of weapons recovered indicates that mobile metal detecting arches – known as Operation Shield – are proving a useful deterrent.

The overground rail station at Elephant & Castle – which has entrances in the shopping centre and on Elephant Road – is served by First Capital Connect and Southeastern trains.