Operation Trident
Encyclopedia
Operation Trident or Trident, is a Metropolitan Police Service
unit set up to investigate and inform people about black gun crime , with special attention being placed on shootings relating to the illegal sale of drugs
. The initiative was set up in March 1998 by black people following a series of shootings in the London borough
s of Lambeth
and Brent
. The Chairman of the Trident Independent Advisory Group (IAG) is Claudia Webbe
.
The perceived importance of Trident's mission was such that it was established as a dedicated Operational Command Unit called the Trident Operational Command Unit within the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Directorate
. In 2004 it expanded with the formation of Operation Trafalgar which investigates all other non-fatal shootings in London.
The campaign uses gun amnesties and advertisements encouraging people to phone Crimestoppers
with information related to gun crime. These advertisements appear in the media
, nightclub
s, on petrol pumps, telephone boxes
and on the radio
.
As part of Specialist Crime Directorate
, Trident is also known as SCD8 and officers within the command have referred to themselves as "the Ocho".
In 2004 16 of the initiative's 300 officers were themselves black.
In 2006, Trident officers raided the home of vintage gun enthusiast Mick Shepherd, seizing much of his collection. At the time, press reports claimed a "huge gun-smuggling racket" had been uncovered, and that guns sold by Shepherd were linked to a number of murders. After being held in Pentonville
and then the high-security Belmarsh
prisons on remand for 10 months awaiting trial, Shepherd was acquitted of all 13 firearms offences with which he was charged.
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
unit set up to investigate and inform people about black gun crime , with special attention being placed on shootings relating to the illegal sale of drugs
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
. The initiative was set up in March 1998 by black people following a series of shootings in the London borough
London borough
The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. Inner London comprises twelve of these boroughs plus the City of London. Outer London comprises the twenty remaining boroughs of Greater London.-Functions:...
s of Lambeth
London Borough of Lambeth
The London Borough of Lambeth is a London borough in south London, England and forms part of Inner London. The local authority is Lambeth London Borough Council.-Origins:...
and Brent
London Borough of Brent
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 2,022. This rose slowly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 5,646 in the middle of the century. When the railways arrived the rate of population growth increased...
. The Chairman of the Trident Independent Advisory Group (IAG) is Claudia Webbe
Claudia Webbe
Claudia Webbe is the Chairperson of New Scotland Yard's Operation Trident Independent Advisory Group after pioneering its development in the mid 1990s....
.
The perceived importance of Trident's mission was such that it was established as a dedicated Operational Command Unit called the Trident Operational Command Unit within the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Directorate
Specialist Crime Directorate
The Specialist Crime Directorate is one of the main branches of the London Metropolitan Police Service. It deals with a wide range of criminality from murder to organised crime. Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick is currently the head of the directorate...
. In 2004 it expanded with the formation of Operation Trafalgar which investigates all other non-fatal shootings in London.
The campaign uses gun amnesties and advertisements encouraging people to phone Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers
Crime Stoppers or Crimestoppers is a program separate from the emergency telephone number system, that allows a member of the community to provide anonymous information about criminal activity. It thereby allows the person to provide crime solving assistance to the authorities without being...
with information related to gun crime. These advertisements appear in the media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
, nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s, on petrol pumps, telephone boxes
Telephone booth
A telephone booth, telephone kiosk, telephone call box or telephone box is a small structure furnished with a payphone and designed for a telephone user's convenience. In the USA, Canada and Australia, "telephone booth" is used, while in the UK and the rest of the Commonwealth it is a "telephone...
and on the radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
.
As part of Specialist Crime Directorate
Specialist Crime Directorate
The Specialist Crime Directorate is one of the main branches of the London Metropolitan Police Service. It deals with a wide range of criminality from murder to organised crime. Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick is currently the head of the directorate...
, Trident is also known as SCD8 and officers within the command have referred to themselves as "the Ocho".
In 2004 16 of the initiative's 300 officers were themselves black.
In 2006, Trident officers raided the home of vintage gun enthusiast Mick Shepherd, seizing much of his collection. At the time, press reports claimed a "huge gun-smuggling racket" had been uncovered, and that guns sold by Shepherd were linked to a number of murders. After being held in Pentonville
Pentonville (HM Prison)
HM Prison Pentonville is a Category B/C men's prison, operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service. Pentonville Prison is not actually within Pentonville itself, but is located further north, on the Caledonian Road in the Barnsbury area of the London Borough of Islington, in inner-North London,...
and then the high-security Belmarsh
Belmarsh (HM Prison)
HM Prison Belmarsh is a Category A men's prison, located in the Thamesmead area of the London Borough of Greenwich, in south-east London, England. Belmarsh Prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service...
prisons on remand for 10 months awaiting trial, Shepherd was acquitted of all 13 firearms offences with which he was charged.
External links
.- Stop the guns. London gang site with prevention and intervention.........