Police used a circular saw to cut through the front door of a South London flat during a dawn raid, arresting a man in his twenties on suspicion of importing prohibited weapons into the UK. The Metropolitan Police released body-worn footage of the operation, which took place shortly after 5am on Tuesday (August 25) at a flat on Wandsworth Road in Lambeth.
The footage shows an officer cutting through the doorframe and door with a circular saw, then using a battering ram to smash their way inside before the groggy suspect was taken into custody. During the raid, officers found ten knives in the flat, including lock knives and flick knives.
Alleged import of zombie knives from China
It is alleged that the suspect was involved in importing knives from China, including banned zombie knives, which were seized by Border Force. Zombie knives and machetes were banned in 2024, and the case highlights ongoing efforts to remove such weapons from London's streets.
Detective Chief Inspector Kara Moulds said: “These knives have no place on London’s streets. They are specifically designed to inflict serious harm, which is why our officers are relentlessly targeting those suspected of bringing them into our communities. Every knife we seize is one less weapon that can be used to threaten, injure or kill. By taking them off the streets and bringing offenders to justice, we’re making London safer for everyone.”
Knife crime statistics show decline
The operation comes amid broader efforts to tackle knife crime. More than 14,500 weapons were dropped off in Government-backed amnesty bins between July 2025 and August this year. In the year to the end of March 2026, the number of homicides involving a knife or sharp instrument recorded by police in England and Wales fell to its lowest level for 35 years, with 176 knife killings recorded, down 14% from 204 in the previous 12 months.
The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues, and the Metropolitan Police have not yet announced any charges.
