Fearful neighbours have spoken out about street crime after police recovered a handgun during a brawl in Edgware.

A 23-year-old from Mill Hill and an 18-year-old from Enfield were fighting in Deansbrook Road when officers arrived at 2.19am on Thursday, August 30.

Police arrested both men for affray and recovered a handgun in nearby bushes.

Patrick Okolie, 16, has lived in Deansbrook Road for a year and says he is not surprised about the incident.

He said: “London is getting very dangerous. These sorts of things are happening in every day life.”

Another neighbour, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “It’s absolutely dreadful.

"I have lived here for eleven years and I’ve seen all sorts – fights, five to six muggings – so this doesn’t come as a shock to me. It’s just another disgusting thing.

“I think there needs to be more police patrolling the area to prevent this sort of thing.”

Many others say fights, burglaries and muggings happen frequently in Deanbrook Road and Heming Road. One woman said she feared answering her front door, even during the day, and says more police should be patrolling the area.

Chirag Thakker has owned Deansbrook Mini Market for seven years and has seen firsthand what sort of crime happens around the clock in the area.

He said: “These days there is so much crime around here.

“Last year someone came into the shop with a knife. Someone has also tried to break into the shop before, and last year one lady had her purse taken.

“CCTV should be onto these roads to prevent crime.”

The suspects have been bailed to return to a north London police station in October.