A Chingford family has described how their house shook as police raided a neighbouring property at dawn during a crackdown on one of Waltham Forest’s most feared gangs.

More than 300 officers were involved in the borough-wide operation on Tuesday targeting the Leytonstone-based Loyal Soldiers.

Properties in Manor Farm Road and Deerlap Grove in Chingford were raided by specialist officers, startling those living nearby between 6am and 7am.

Eyup Nakip, 58, his wife Thamolwan, 43, and 10-year-old daughter live in Manor Farm Road and were woken by the sound of officers breaking down the front door.

Mr Nakip said: "We heard a loud bang and thought it was an earthquake as our house shook when they busted down the door.

“It was very scary.

"Then we heard running as they went into the house, we had no idea what was going on only that it looked exactly like what you see on TV.

"We're surprised it happened but at the same time happy because they are off the streets. We feel safer now."

Across the borough, 26 properties were raided as part of Operation Emu, with guns and drugs seized.

A total of 22 suspected gang members were arrested on suspicion of various offences, including conspiracy to supply class A drugs, weapon possession and money laundering.

Hayden Brown, 23, and his brother Jordon, 21, were arrested during the Manor Farm Road raid and have both been charged with being involved in the supply of a class A drug, namely cocaine.

Hayden Brown is also accused of being involved in supplying class B cannabis and offering to supply the drug.

Jordon Brown faces a second charge of possessing cannabis.

Both men were remanded in custody to appear at Thames Magistrates Court today.

A woman arrested at an address in Deerleap Grove has been released with no further action, police say.

The Loyal Soldiers (LS) is believed to have been created through the merger of two Leytonstone gangs, the Cathall Boys and the AC Crew, but its influence is believed to spread throughout the borough.

Cann Hall ward cllr Nicholas Russell said: "I welcome the efforts of the police to make the local area safer for local residents through yesterday’s operation and would encourage residents to help the police to continue to help us by passing on information to the police about gang activity."