CANNABIS, a kitchen knife, and home made weapons are some of the items discovered by police officers carrying out a 'sweep' in Harlesden.

Following tip-offs from the community, Harlesden Safer Neighbourhoods Team worked with specialist officers to carry out the exercise, which involved searches of bushes and other areas to look for hidden items.

As well as the weapons and drugs, police found gold jewellery on Tuesday last week . The home made weapons were made of sticks.

Chief inspector Taff Thomas of the Brent Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: "This proactive operation, based on intelligence from the community, has taken potential weapons off our streets and will no doubt come as a blow to whoever was planning to use them. We will continue to do our utmost to make Brent as safe as possible for residents and visitors."

A police spokesman said the purpose of a sweep is to find any weapons, potential weapons and drugs that have been concealed in the area.