Bodycam footage shows moment suspected knife smuggler woken by police sawing through door

This is the moment police used a circular saw to take down a front door before coming crashing into the flat of a suspected knife smuggler.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police have released body-worn footage taken during a dawn raid at a flat in Wandsworth Road, Lambeth, south London, shortly after 5am on Tuesday.

The video shows an officer cutting through the doorframe and door before using a battering ram to smash their way in.

A total of 10 knives were found in the flat, including lock knives and flick knives.

The suspect, in his 20s, was then arrested and held on suspicion of importing prohibited weapons into the UK.

It is alleged he was involved in importing knives from China, including banned zombie knives which were seized by Border Force.

Detective Chief Inspector Kara Moulds said: ‘These knives have no place on London’s streets.

‘They are specifically designed to inflict serious harm, which is why our officers are relentlessly targeting those suspected of bringing them into our communities.

‘Every knife we seize is one less weapon that can be used to threaten, injure or kill. By taking them off the streets and bringing offenders to justice, we’re making London safer for everyone.’

Zombie knives and machetes were banned in 2024 and were among more than 14,500 weapons dropped off in government-backed amnesty bins between July 2025 and August this year.

The number of homicides involving a knife or sharp instrument recorded annually by police in England and Wales fell to its lowest level for 35 years in the year to the end of March 2026.

In that time, 176 knife killings recorded by police, down 14% from 204 in the previous 12 months.