A drug dealer who carried a gun “as insurance” against criminal gangs has been jailed for 12 years and eight months, the Metropolitan Police said.

Kyle Kiffin, 21, of Hermatage Road in Upper Norwood,  was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on April 10 for possesion of a firearm with intent to endanger life, as well as the supply of Class B drugs and possession of Class A drugs.

He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

On September 5 last year, officers searched the home of one of Kiffin's associates in Field Way, New Addington, as part of a firearms search warrant where they found a loaded .22 calibre pistol.

Kiffin was later stopped by armed officers as he fled and a search found four rounds of live ammunition that matched those loaded in the gun, 25 wraps of cannabis, and a quantity of suspected Class A drugs.

Detective Sergeant Mark Gavin, from the London Crime Squad, said: "I am pleased with the sentence handed to Kiffin today as this sends a clear message to those considering carrying a firearm and dealing drugs in London. 

"Kiffin was fully aware that possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition is a criminal offence and he clearly had the intention of using it should the need arise. 

"He was also involved in the supply of Class A and B drugs and it is clear that the firearm was insurance should he have had problems with rival criminals or anyone else for that matter, he is clearly a dangerous criminal.

"Thanks to the hard work of my team and assistance from our colleagues in the firearms unit, we have been able to take another gun off the streets and prevent it being used in any further crimes."