Officers involved in a Europe-wide policing operation targeting organised criminal networks and people who deal in stolen mobile phones arrested 35 people in Croydon.

The arrests were made for a range of offences including suspicion of handling stolen goods, robbery, burglary, theft, drugs, assault and offenders wanted on warrant.

Quantities of drugs, stolen goods and cash were recovered during the raids.

The day of action was co-ordinated in London under the Met’s Operation Big Wing, together with other UK police forces, 13 European countries through EuroPol and other law enforcement agencies.

Commander Stephen Watson, who led the operation, said: “These efforts should stand as a clear warning to mobile phone criminals that we are narrowing in on criminal activity and the organised networks they may operate in, who will soon have no place to hide within this country or Europe.”