Police investigating the alleged rape of a teenage girl under the age of 16 have raided Redbridge addresses this morning.

Eight men were arrested on suspicion of rape after a pre-planned operation at nine addresses in Redbridge, Newham and Havering as well as an address in Hertfordshire at around 5am.

Those arrested are five 23-year-old men, two 24-year-old men and a 21-year-old man.

The investigation was launched by detectives from the Met’s Sapphire Command following an allegation relating to alleged offences between May and November 2012.

The men are currently in custody at an east London police station.

DCI Adam Lowe from the Sapphire Command said: "These arrests are part of an investigation into rape and serious sexual assault carried out by a group of men in Newham and the wider east London area.

“Our enquiries continue.”

A quantity of cash and drugs were seized from addresses in Newham during the raids.

A 26-year-old man and 47-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of fraud in Newham.

A 50-year-old woman from Redbridge was also arrested on suspicion of fraud.