Tooting Town Centre's policing team has been nominated for the Safer Neighbourhood Team of the Year award.

The Wandsworth Police unit is up for the honour in the Met Excellence Awards, which is an annual celebration and recognition of work done by forces across London.

Burnt Oak and Tottenham Green, in Barnet and Haringey respectively, are the other two safer neighbourhood teams in the running.

Inspector Barrie Captor, the team’s nominating officer, said: “The team have fully engaged their diverse community, supported national faith celebrations, investigated and prosecuted those involved in drug markets and gangs and kept their community safe.

“They are a professional unit, dedicated to working to safeguard their local residents.”

A Met Police spokesman said Tooting Town Centre force was able to identify eight gang members from a rap video posted on YouTube, who were later prosecuted for 33 offences which included drug supply and possession of weapons.

Other actions involve the execution of 50 warrants and weapon sweeps which have recovered more than 100 weapons and £150,000 worth of drugs.

It forms one of two categories alongside the Special Constable of the Year.

The awards are for public vote with the deadline set for Friday, February 16.