A police disruption operation at New Cross Gate and Hither Green train stations has seen five people arrested over the weekend.

Possession of a loaded firearm with intent, possession of class A and B drugs and a racially aggravated public order offence were among the reasons for the arrests.

Lewisham Police said officers from the South East Basic Command Unit's Safer Neighbourhood Team ran the joint disruption operation along with the British Transport Police under the Met's Operation Hunda.

A weapon screening arch was set up at Hither Green and New Cross Gate, and stop and searches were conducted across the weekend.

On male suspected of trying to evade the screening was searched by undercover officers at Hither Green station and was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm.

The Lewisham man, aged 24, was arrested, and is now in custody at a South East London Police station.

One other arrest was made at Hither Green station, a 30-year-old man from Orpington who was in possession of a kitchen knife and a class B drug, and is suspected of a robbery offence.

At New Cross Gate station, a 33-year-old from Lambeth was arrested and charged with railway trespass, and possession of class A and B drugs.

A 19-year-old from Southwark was arrested for fraud by false representation and possession of a class B drug, and another 19-year-old from Harlow was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence against a police officer and for fare evasion.

Lewisham Police said: "No further comment will be made in relation to the investigation into any of these individuals until any legal matters have been concluded."