The Met Police Service has launched Operation Winter Nights, a seasonal clampdown on criminal activity across London over the Christmas period.

The operation will see officers from the Met involved in a number of preventative activities across the Capital, particularly at large festive events, from today until Sunday, January 5, 2020.

Knife arches will be set up and both highly visible and covert officers will be deployed at busy events and locations "with the aim of deterring criminals and identifying those that are there to spoil the festive fun."

Commander Jane Connors said: “December sees a large number of Christmas events and festivals which draw in hundreds of tourists and Londoners into the city centre.

"We want the public to feel safe whilst enjoying the festivities, so this operation’s aim is to remove criminals from our streets so that people can enjoy themselves.”

Local police will be supported by specialist units across London, including the Violent Crime Taskforce, Specialist Firearms Command, Trident, the Dogs Unit and the Mounted Branch.

Local policing activity on all 12 Basic Command Units (BCUs) will be supported by specialist units from across the Met including the Violent Crime Taskforce, Taskforce, Specialist Firearms Command, Roads and Transport Policing Command, Trident, Dogs Unit and the Mounted Branch as well as working closely with colleagues from City of London Police and British Transport Police.

Back in 2017, Operation Winter Nights achieved over 900 arrests and took 278 knives off the streets.

The Met said the measures are precautionary, and asks the public to remain vigilant.

If you see any suspicious activity, have any concerns, or have any information about suspected criminality, please call police on 101. In an emergency always dial 999.

If you aren’t comfortable speaking directly to the police, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. They do not ask your name or trace your call or the device that you use.