St Agnes Place in Kennington was raided due to suspicions that "serious criminality" was taking place at the site, the Metropolitan police said.

Search warrants were issued for the operation under drugs and firearms legislation, with both the Met and Lambeth council involved in the intelligence-led raid, which took place at around 03:10 BST.

"However, it is believed that a high level of serious criminality has been operating from here which is adversely affecting the local communities."

Chief superintendent Martin Bridger later revealed that up to 200 people have been arrested on leaving the building over the past eight weeks, with 80 per cent of those detained found to be in possession of drugs.

"This clearly demonstrates that the premises have not been used over the last few months as a Rastafarian temple but instead have been used as premises to supply both class A and C drugs," said Mr Bridger.

The police search of the building is ongoing, with the Met currently in negotiations with members of the Rastafarian community and the local council in order to identify an alternative place for users of the temple to worship.

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