Police in Merton may be about to increase its use of stop and search following a spate of stabbings in Raynes Park, Morden and Mitcham.

Borough Commander of Merton police Stuart Macleod has said he wants to see the tactic used more often to counter knife crime, as long as police had good reason to suspect that someone was carrying a weapon.

His comments come as the Metropolitan Police launch Operation Sceptre, a London-wide operation to tackle knife crime through increased patrols, weapons sweeps and knife amnesties.

There has been a spate of knife crime in the borough in the last two months, with three young men suffering stab injuries in separate attacks. 

October 23: Knife-wielding robber takes cash from Superdrug in Majestic Walk, Mitcham

October 21: Teenager released on bail after stabbing in London Road, near Morden Court, Morden

October 14: Teenagers hospitalised after multiple stabbings in Morden

September 21: Man seriously injured in Raynes Park stabbing

On Thursday, October 22, a Superdrug store in Mitcham was robbed at knife-point, while two teenagers were stabbed in one week in Morden earlier this month.

A 19-year-old was stabbed in the back in Morden Road, near to the junction with Wandle Road, on Monday, October 5, and a 17-year-old was stabbed at 3pm in London Road, near Morden Court, on Thursday, October 8.

A 17 year-old was arrested on Monday, October 12 after an investigation into the stabbing near Morden Court in London Road, Morden, on Thursday, October 8.

He has been bailed until a date in November while the investigation continues.

And, in Raynes Park, a man in his 20s was seriously injured in a stabbing in Lambton Road, on Saturday, September 19, after reports of a fight.

Det Ch Supt Macleod said he wanted to see stop and search used alongside a number of other tactics, including engaging with young people in schools.

He said: "It needs to be intelligence led. We still use it in a very targeted way. It’s a legitimate tactic.

"If the public were to form the impression that we’re using it indiscriminately, it’s just wrong."

He added: "If we have credible intelligence that I carry a knife, what would we prefer? Would we expect my officers to stand and wait?

"We’re not going to pussy foot around. If we believe someone has a knife my officers have to be mindful of their own safety as well."

In September, Merton police used stop and search powers on 166 people. Of these, 26 were then arrested.

The power to stop and search has been in the public eye recently, after Commissioner of the Metropolitan police Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe connected an 18 per cent rise in knife crime across London to the large reduction in stop and searches carried out by officers.

However, Home Secretary Theresa May has publicly disagreed with Sir Hogan-Howe, warning the National Black Police Association on Thursday, October 22 of creating "a knee-jerk reaction on the back of a false link."

Operation Sceptre, which runs until November 30, follows a successful summer operation which saw 900 blades recovered and 270 arrests across London.

Merton MPS have been publicising Operation Sceptre on Twitter, as they visit retailers to give advice on the dangers of selling knives to young people.

Residents are encouraged to hand in unwanted knives and swords to Mitcham and Wimbledon police stations until November 30.