Have you ever wondered what happens to deadly firearms that were seized on London's streets ?
As part of a new operation by The Metropolitan Police , the force has released this fascinating video showing exactly how the weapons are reduced to nothing more than safe chunks of metal.
The operation - codenamed Kestrel 2 - began on Monday, 11 April and is being run by the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command, drawing together a range of specialist policing units to tackle criminals who carry or hide guns.
Every month, Scotland Yard destroys between 200 and 400 weapons which have been taken off the streets .
Some of the guns have been held by police for 15 or even 20 years before their destruction.
Detective Superintendent Damian Allain, from the Trident and Area Crime Command, said: "Gun crime in London is low in comparison with other world cities, but we are determined to bring it down yet further. Obtaining a gun is relatively difficult to do, but we are not complacent.
“Trident is continuing to have success targeting and prosecuting those who convert or manufacture guns. Possessing a firearm in the UK carries a mandatory five-year prison sentence and criminals know this, which means they often coerce others to store the guns for them, and we will always go after these individuals too.
“Individuals prepared to carry guns are a menace to our communities. Guns cause fear, injury and death, and we are committed to disrupting their supply and deterring anyone from getting involved in gun crime.
“Operation Kestrel 2 seeks to disrupt gun crime in London. It's not just about catching people in possession of firearms - it's about letting them know that police are out on the streets, targeting gun crime activity and disrupting their ability to move guns about London.
“Using both covert and very overt tactics we will make it as hard as possible for criminals to carry or hide guns or supply them to others."
