Police made 454 arrests as part of a London-wide police crackdown on knife crime yesterday.

Operation Big Wing saw around 5,800 officers across all boroughs of the capital carrying out 160 warrants, targeted stop and search and searches at transport hubs.

There were also street briefings and crime prevention events advising the public about how to protect themselves, including outside Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.

In 2013-14, more than 50 per cent of murders were committed with knives and 43 per cent of the UK’s knife related offences took place in London.

Police claim knife crime offences have reduced by 11.5 per cent with 1,300 fewer offences, which is the lowest total in the last seven years.

The reduction is attributed to a fall in robberies, with knife crime robberies down 19 per cent.