Police have arrested 23 people during a raid on a former Rastafarian temple in south London.

Around 250 police officers carried out the raid at the premises in St Agnes Place in Kennington in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The premises - four terraced houses, topped by a Rastafarian flag - were traditionally used in the past as a Rastafarian temple.

However, it is thought that a number of suspected drug dealers have taken to selling drugs on the premises in recent months.

Police are now searching the property for drugs and firearms. It is understood that several kilos of cannabis and a quantity of crack cocaine have been seized, as well as six rounds of ammunition.

Chief Superintendent Martin Bridger, Lambeth Borough Commander, said: "As a result of the operation at St Agnes Place, 23 arrests have been made following search warrants that have been executed under the drugs and firearms legislation.

"Over the last eight weeks up to 200 people have been arrested on leaving the premises following a police investigation. Eight per cent of those arrested were 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. Furthermore, some members from the temple's management have contacted the police stating that the premises have been taken over by those involved in the supply of drugs."

The buildings had been at the centre of a dispute over whether they should be demolished and Lambeth Council had been in the process of trying to find an alternative site for the temple.

(KMcA/JM)