Police investigating the internet trade in firearms arrested 11 men in dawn raids across London last week.

Addresses in Lambeth and Southwark were among the 18 properties to be targeted on Wednesday, with more than 20 weapons being uncov-ered, including handguns, shotguns, CS canisters and a stun gun. Informa-tion gathered from the op-eration has led to police forces across the country visiting more than 200 suspects who are believed to have bought illegal fire-arms via the internet.

Commander Stephen James of the Specialist Crime Directorate which led the operation said: "Those who are involved in buying illegal weapons abroad in an attempt to evade British legislation face arrest and prosecu-tion.

"The stark reality is that if people flout the law they could end up in prison. Anyone who has bought a prohibited weapon wrongly believing it will provide them or their families with protection should think again. These weapons could end up in the hands of criminals with a devastating impact on London's communi-ties."

Since January last year possession of a handgun or ammunition is punish-able by a five-year manda-tory jail sentence.