Tough police tactics are believed to be behind a 27% fall in gun crime over the past two months in some of London's most violent areas.

Armed patrols and a crackdown on organised crime appears to have paid off across London, according to police figures released on Monday.

Escalating violence between gangs linked to organised crime in north London prompted police warnings that the city was on the brink of a violent turf war in November.

More armed patrols were introduced in Haringey, north London, after one man died and four were seriously injured during an armed street fight involving Turkish and Kurdish groups.

2002 London gun crime

More than 1,000 imitation and real firearms seized 782 people charged with firearm-related violent crime Fatal shootings down 16% in London

Since December police have concentrated their efforts on armed criminals, extortion and drug trafficking in 10 problem boroughs.

More than 500 police officers took part in London's biggest-ever co-ordinated raids aimed at smashing an international heroin smuggling ring last month.

The police figures show a 27% drop in gun crime in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth, Waltham Forest, Newham, Croydon, Brent and Haringey in December and January.

Across London gun crime fell by 21% and police say they have caught and charged more suspects.

The detection rate by detectives investigating shootings in London's black community also rose from 24% to 70%.

But a Scotland Yard spokesman said police needed the backing of the courts to hand down "meaningful" prison terms.

He said: "We have some examples where the sentences handed down simply do not reflect the seriousness of offences."

London's armed police officers will grow by 100 to 350 over the next year to cope with the twin threats of growing gun crime and terrorism.