Raid man was already in custody

Britain's most senior policeman has led dawn raids to find a burglary suspect, only to find he was already in custody.

Eighty officers and a police helicopter took part in the south London and Surrey raids led by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.

But the suspect was already being held over an alleged break-in at a house in Kingston, south-west London.

Sir Paul said he was "not the least bit embarrassed". "I am delighted that officers made an arrest," he said.

Battering ram

The Tuesday morning raids aimed to find the suspected handler of a gang of burglars accused of targeting properties in south London and the Home Counties.

Officers swooped on seven addresses and used a battering ram to smash the suspect's door.

But the man had been booked into custody the previous afternoon, while Sir Paul was being briefed about the raid.

Sir Paul told the BBC: "That's the nature of police work."

He added: "I am quite pleased with today's outcome - we have got back some significant property that we think is useful evidence."

Police have arrested nine people since the investigation began in December last year.

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