Armed Robberies: Arrest

1 October 2013, 11:05 | Updated: 1 October 2013, 11:32

Police investigating a series of armed robberies in South London have arrested a 37 year old man.

He was picked up in Peckham early in the morning of Tuesday 1 October 2013 on suspicion of committing a series of knife and gun point robberies committed over the previous week.

Night duty patrols had been paying close attention to the area of Camberwell and Peckham in response to the incidents, and in the Camberwell Road, SE5 area (near the magistrates' court) officers on these patrols came across a man being robbed at gun point at around 4.20am.

The suspect ran off after spotting police and officers chased after him on foot.  As the suspect was being pursued the firearm was pointed at the pursuing officers. Fortunately it was not discharged.

As the chase continued the suspect was seen to discard what was believed to be the firearm shortly before officers caught up with him and detained him.

A man aged 37 was arrested on suspicion of six robberies but was taken to a south London hospital as he appeared to be under the influence of crack cocaine.

Inspector Richard Auty from Southwark Borough said: "This is an excellent arrest by these officers who were actively seeking out a suspect for these offences and once they found him, kept the pursuit going despite being threatened with what appeared to be a firearm, and detained the suspect."

After an inspection, the firearm was later thought to be a BB gun.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.