Seven men were arrested this morning in relation to two armed robberies of jewellers in Wimbledon and Bournemouth by a violent moped gang.

On September 12 (2018) by four men on motorbikes, armed with knives and hammers, smashed through the front of Michael Platt in the heart of Wimbledon village, making off with a stash of jewellery worth £100,000.

Last month, on March 14, four men armed with a corrosive substance, hammers and reportedly even a samurai sword robbed Franses Jewellers in Bournemouth, escaping on two mopeds and a motorbike.

A joint investigation by Dorset police and the Met's Operation Venice team, created specifically to combat 'moped-enabled' crime, led officers to addresses in London and Dorset.

Five men were arrested at various addresses in south London on suspicion of robbery of commercial premises using weapons, whilst two men were arrested at addresses in Bournemouth on suspicion of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

The suspects remain in custody, as work continues to identify an eighth male in relation to this investigation.

Chief Inspector Jim Corbett, Operation Venice, said: "The outcome of this operation is as a result of solid partnership working between the Met and Dorset Police.

"Working together, officers identified and arrested these violent individuals who committed these offences.

"Today's activity again shows our commitment to reducing moped and motorcycle crime, and that we will seek to bring offenders to justice at every opportunity."