Wembley police are hunting for four dangerous criminals who failed to appear in court after being charged with knife-related offences.

Brent Marshals, a crack team of officers who are responsible for arresting wanted criminals, have released images of the men to coincide with the launch of operation blunt two - a London-wide crackdown on knife crime.

Matthew Miekus, 24, whose last known address is First Ave, Wembley, Arkadiusz Sinecki, 38, whose last known address is Denzil Rd, Willesden, Carl Bokuma, 38, from Edgware and Mohammed Ibrahim, 34, who was last seen in Glasgow, are all wanted for possession of an offensive weapon.

And officers are appealing for any information regarding their whereabouts.

This year 16 teenagers have been killed by violent crime on London's streets and as a response Brent Police are targeting those who carry knives through stop and searches and intelligence-led operations.

Chief Inspector Stuart Smith, Brent Police Borough Liaison Officer, said: "The death of any young person through violence is a tragedy and every death is one too many.

"We want to reduce serious violence involving young people as victims and as offenders and a number of enforcement tactics have been put in to place to reduce the carrying of weapons by young people."

On Wednesday last week (04) members of Preston, Barnhill and Northwick Park Safer Neighbourhoods teams, set up an airport-style metal detector outside Brent Town Hall.

Young people traveling on the 245 bus were made to walk through the device to check they were not carrying knives or dangerous weapons.

Two 14-year-old boys were arrested for possession of cannabis.

PC Simon Underwood, from Preston Safer Neighbourhoods team, helped organise the operation.

He said: "From the comments we received, it is clear to me that not only do people understand what we are trying to achieve they openly support us.

"I look forward to continuing to build these bridges and bring those who carry weapons to justice and prevent further needless killings."

Last year knife crime in the borough was down 16 per cent and police chiefs said they would make sure the promising results continued.

Chief Inspector Smith said: "Brent Police is dedicated to tackling all violent crime in the borough and this downward trend is not something we are complacent about.

"We will continue to use a large range of tactics to both deter and arrest offenders but we cannot reduce serious violence without the support of communities and the commitment of partners."

Anyone with information about the wanted men should contact 020 8733 3159 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.