Scotland Yard is considering allowing armed officers to carry out short foot patrols in parts of London blighted by gang violence.

Under proposals being considered by the Met, officers who drive around the capital in armed response vehicles, could be asked to go out on foot in notorious areas to combat or prevent extreme violence.

Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, denied it was a move towards having routine armed patrols on the streets, insisting it was simply about using highly trained officers effectively.

She said armed officers were already being deployed to support neighbourhood teams carrying out stop and searches where there was a risk of extreme violence and described the move as a “small tactical change”.

The proposals come amid increasing concern over the extent of violence across London, with more than 120 homicide investigations launched this this year.

Much of the violence is thought to be gang related and Met chiefs are considering how armed officers could be used to support the violent crime task force, which is trying to combat the problem.