Reports of a gang of up to 20 people, some armed with knives, saw the police impose an emergency stop and search order on Easter Monday.

The order was put in place around Ham Common through to the Thames at Teddington Lock and ran from 6pm through to midnight.

Ham Common is widely used by young families and is surrounded by multi-million pound homes.

Residents have been shocked at the reports of violent gangs roaming one of the prettiest and family friendly areas of the borough

The Metropolitan Police said: "A Section 60 Authorisation was put in place for six hours from 17.55hrs to 23.55hrs in the area of Ham Common yesterday 18th April.

"This was authorised following sightings of a group of 15-20 young persons, some allegedly seen with weapons.

"The Section 60 gives police the power to stop and search individuals for possession of offensive weapons or dangerous instruments.

"It is a power given by an officer at inspector level or above which allows police to stop and search anyone in the given area, without providing the same grounds normally required for a stop and search."

It is the second alarming incident in the area within weeks. Just last month an 18-year-old from Twickenham was charged with murder following the stabbing death of a man in Maguire Drive, Ham.

Four other people – two females, aged 17 and 52, and two men, aged 19 and 20 - have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have since been released on bail.

Kingston has also been at the centre of gang related violence in recent weeks. During one, a man carrying a machete was filmed running through crowded streets in broad daylight.