Dozens of motor vehicles have been seized in Hounslow as part of an operation to combat car crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour.

Operation Balder, led by Feltham and Richmond neighbourhood police and Hounslow crime squad officers, along with other police units, was carried out in response to a rise in motor vehicle thefts in the borough.

Police action has seen around 40 vehicles seized over the past eight months, most which have now been returned to their owners.

A number of stop and searches carried out have resulted in several arrests for offences including theft of motor vehicles, drugs possession with intent to supply and possession of offensive weapons.

Officers have also been tackling anti-social behaviour, particularly with youths driving recklessly on pavements on mopeds and doing wheelies in Hanworth and neighbouring wards.

The main areas of concern have been at Butts Farm Estate in Hanworth, Apex retail site in Hanworth and Feltham Parks.

A joint project between the police, council and the London Fire Brigade called One Life has been taking on troubled youths to try and help put them back on the right track.

Over two days young people are put through their paces by the fire brigade as well as learning the potential dangers of anti-social riding, bullying, misuse of drugs, weapons and other offences.

Feltham police inspector Chris Mulrooney said: “Police would like to reassure local residents that we are taking these incidents very seriously.

“We have issued a large number of warning notices, seized over 40 motor bikes and made a number of arrests.

“We have also been working closely with officers from Twickenham borough, Heathrow and Surrey Police due to the cross over in offences which has lead to a number of pro-active warrants.

“I would like to thank those local residents that have assisted Police by reporting incidents of ASB and ask them to continue doing so (Please use the 101 system).”