Grime star questions why knife and drug seizures from as far afield as Catford are being linked to the west London event

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The grime artist Stormzy has hit out at the Metropolitan police for linking drugs busts to the Notting Hill carnival.



Other Twitter users have also asked what the seizure of what was believed to be a kilogram of uncut heroin in Catford, south-east London, had to do with this weekend’s carnival on the other side of the capital in west London.



The force has been tweeting after carrying out a series of dawn raids on Tuesday, in Lewisham as well as in Kensington and Chelsea, the borough where the event takes place.



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But its tweet about the heroin seizure in Catford led Stormzy to reply: “How many drugs did you lot seize in the run up to Glastonbury or we only doing tweets like this for black events?”

Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) In the run up to #NottingHillCarnival, officers have this morning seized what is believed to be a kilo of uncut heroin in #Catford pic.twitter.com/pUCya5lrvj

Many Twitter users were quick to back the musician, with RxDWHxTEBLxCK writing: “Seizing knives or having a knife amnesty would be way better. This is just choosing a hated drug and blaming carnival.”



Another, MrMeeds, tweeted: “Lol what does the drug seize in Catford have to do with Notting Hill Carnival? Or is this the standard propaganda you’re perpetuating?”



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But others questioned why the rapper had to bring race into the issue, and pointed out that any local drugs seizures before Glastonbury would be carried out by Avon and Somerset police, rather than the Met.



Officers arrested more than 30 people early on Tuesday morning in a planned, intelligence-led operation.

The crackdown – against knife crime, drugs and child exploitation – was carried out by more than 100 officers from the Met, City of London police and British Transport Police.

Not including Tuesday’s raids, officers have made more than 290 arrests since 11 August for a range of offences, recovering 190 knives and 18 firearms.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Met raid an address in Lewisham, south-east London, on 22 August. Photograph: Lauren Hurley/PA

Tuesday’s arrests were predominantly for possession with intent to supply drugs. If some of those arrested were bailed, they would be forbidden from attending the carnival, Scotland Yard said.

Officers known as “super-recognisers” will be in the area and monitoring CCTV to help spot those banned from the parade.



Ch Supt Robyn Williams, the Met’s spokesman for the Notting Hill carnival, said: “Our officers have been proactive and focused on tackling serious violence and knife crime across London. Today’s operation is aimed at ensuring that those who intend to cause trouble at the carnival are prohibited from doing so.

“We are committed to ensuring that the carnival remains a safe, vibrant and enjoyable event; troublemakers are not welcome. We will be uncompromising in our operations to keep our communities safe and secure.

“People can expect to see operational activity right up until and throughout the bank holiday weekend.”