10 held in raids on 'Murder Zone' gang

Police today smashed a notorious south London street gang called the Murder Zone Crew.

Ten people, some as young as 16, were arrested in a series of dawn raids in Brixton on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs including crack cocaine and heroin.

Police say the gang was involved in knife and gun crime, muggings and burglaries across south London. They are said to have operated from the Southwyck House, or "Barrier Block", Estate in Coldharbour Lane.

The raids came as police in Lambeth launched a hotline for gang members or their families to call if they want to get out of criminality.

Lambeth commander Chief Supt Sharon Rowe said: "I do not want to be arresting people, I want to help people find a way out of crime. We can offer young people a number of initiatives."

Following complaints from residents, highvisibility police patrols are being deployed to prevent drug dealing on the estate.

The anti-gang hotline is 020 8721 3508.