Two men were hunted down and arrested by police air and ground units after members of the public reported seeing men with guns.
Officers were called to a wooded area near Larkshall Crescent in Chingford at around 4.45pm on Sunday.
A police helicopter was deployed to assist in the search Armed officers surrounded the field after the helicopter tracked them down.
Two men were arrested and two firearms were recovered.
A 33-year-old man and a 46-year-old man were taken to a police station.
They were later cautioned for being in possession of an air rifle in a public place.
Both air rifles were destroyed by police.
The law makes no distinction between air rifles and more powerful guns for which you need a licence – they are all classed as firearms.
However, over 18s in the UK may use an air rifle where you have permission to shoot legally.
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