Police have seized a loaded firearm and a large knife in Burnt Oak.

The Met Police says officers responded to reports of a group of youths tampering with a moped in De Havilland Road on March 19.

Officers attended at around 5pm and the group subsequently ran off.

A bag was later found by police which contained a loaded firearm, a large Rambo knife and a quantity of Class A and Class B drugs. The firearm and drugs will be analysed in the coming days, police said.

The Met also confirmed that a 15-year-old boy was detained before being taken into custody. He has since been bailed and police say enquiries are ongoing to trace suspects.

Detective Sergeant John MacLeod, from specialist crime, said: "This case shows how officers will respond to information received from members of the public.

"The age of the youth arrested, and in all likelihood the other suspects, is significant. Officers often hear from those critical of the police that stopping and searching young people whose behaviour has caused suspicion is not acceptable.

"However cases such as this clearly demonstrate why officers must continue to protect our communities by investigating and challenging suspicious behaviour, even if the suspected offenders are very young."

DS MacLeod added: "We need to build young people’s confidence in the police. And I hope that taking a firearm, a large knife and illegal drugs out of the hands of children is exactly what the vast majority of young people and all communities in London expect of the Met as we work to keep people safe and continue reducing violent crime."