A targeted Met Police operation in south-west London arrested six teenagers linked to an organised phone-snatching gang during warrants at seven Battersea addresses on August 27. Officers seized suspected stolen phones, a motorbike, a Rambo knife and drugs. The six were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit theft and fraud, with a 19-year-old also held on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and cannabis; all were bailed until 25 November. The activity formed part of Operation Roar, an intelligence-led crackdown launched in May 2025 involving over 90 officers, council anti-social behaviour teams and high-speed police e-bikes. Since May, Operation Roar has led to 20 arrests and reported substantial reductions in robbery and snatch theft across Nine Elms, Battersea Park and Shaftesbury and Queenstown wards.
On Wednesday, August 27, warrants were carried out at seven addresses in Battersea, leading to the arrests of six young men aged between 17 and 19. Officers seized several suspected stolen phones, a motorbike, a Rambo knife and drugs. All six were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit theft and fraud. A 19-year-old man from Wandsworth was also held on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and cannabis. They have been bailed until 25 November.
The arrests were part of Operation Roar, an intelligence-led crackdown introduced in May 2025. More than 90 officers, along with local council anti-social behaviour teams, have been involved in the initiative, which has also deployed high-speed police e-bikes to chase down suspects. Since May, the operation has led to 20 arrests, including seven members of another organised gang operating in Brixton, Lambeth, Stockwell and Wandsworth.
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