A STOCKPILE of ammunition was seized by police during a raid on a hostel for disadvantaged young people.

Two men in their twenties were arrested and another is being sought after 50 officers swooped on the Focus E15 foyer in Brimstone House, which is home to 210 young people in Victoria Street, Stratford.

The operation included a coordinated set of early morning raids on six flats by police Safer Neighbourhoods teams brought in from around the borough and supported by specialist units.

Police acted following reports of anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and the use of weapons by a small minority of residents in and around the block of flats.

A total of 81 rounds of rifle ammunition were found in one flat and a number of suspected stolen credit cards were found in another.

The two men who were arrested were bailed pending further inquiries.

Both men have since returned to Brimstone House.

A man is being sought by police after a number credit cards were found in another flat.

The Focus E15 project is run by the East Thames housing association and offers accommodation to homeless young people with a wide range of problems, including drug addiction and mental illness.

Residents must commit to a programme of training and rehabilitation in order to stay there.

Security staff are employed at the block of flats and members of staff are responsible for each floor, but nearby residents have complained of intimidating behaviour by youths in the area for some time.

Describing the discovery of the ammunition as a significant result, Sgt Simon Crick of Stratford Safer Neighbourhoods team said: "It sends a message to a small number of people who are causing problems in the block that it will no longer be tolerated.

"The raid was not based on specific information received from anyone at the Foyer. We are concerned that there could be possible reprisals and are working closely with East Thames.

"A risk assessment was carried out and we had the full support of the senior management at East Thames. Some positive action was needed because there was a risk that we appeared to be doing nothing.

"There were a lot of visitors to the block and we are very aware of the need to keep monitoring the situation so problems do not recur."

A spokesman for East Thames said: "We do work successfully with young people to try and change their behaviour. We have a project, Time For Youth, which is held up as a model of good practice by the Home Office.

"We believe Focus E15 is an essential part of the community and we are actually helping young people to correct anti-social behaviour and improve there life chances."