A FIREARMS raid was executed in Dovercourt as part of a police operation involving revenge gang attacks.

In the early hours of this morning, Essex Police executed a firearms warrant at an address in the town as part of an operation to arrest suspects involved in ‘renting’ a firearm.

It is understood the firearms were being rented to be used in revenge gang attacks.

The address raided was located on William Groom Avenue.

It was part of a wider operation where more than 350 officers from the Metropolitan Police service, Essex Police and Kent Police carried out 11 warrants.

A total of ten suspected members of a criminal gang conspiring to possess a firearm have been arrested following ‘Operation Wordwell’.

Detective Superintendent Paul Trevers, who led the operation for the Met, said: "Following a number of violent incidents in east London, officers from the East Area Gangs Unit have meticulously pulled this operation together, which has taken months of hard work and dedication.

"This operation started in September 2020 following a number of shootings and stabbings in Barking, East London.

“By linking the offences, officers realised that one criminal gang were planning violent attacks on other individuals and by making these pre-planned arrests today, we have been able to thwart a criminal gang involved in the use of lethal firearms."

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Under Operation Wordwell, officers secured evidence of the gang agreeing to split the cost of obtaining a firearm, and were looking for potential victims.

A total of 10 people, aged between 16 and 20 years old have been arrested for offences including conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit GBH with intent.

They have all been taken into custody at an east London police station.

Searches of the venues continue for any firearms.

Specialist firearms officers from the Metropolitan Police, as well as Essex and Kent Police were used to carry out the warrants safely.

Mr Trevers added: "This is another in the line of ongoing operations targeting violent offenders and I hope it goes some way in reassuring everyone that we continue to work tirelessly to stop the supply of guns, and associated criminality across London and into county forces."

Chief Inspector Darren Deex, Operational Policing Command, Essex Police, said: “We have helped make Essex that little bit safer.

“Our residents know we will always take action to remove firearms and weapons off our streets and bring those who carry or use them to justice. There is no place for such violence in our county.”