A Dartford man who was caught with a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition has pleaded guilty to firearms possession.

Tyler Tanner, 23, of Henderson Drive, was seen travelling with a 27-year-old man who turned a white transit van into a cul-de-sac in Longfield on June 17.

A few minutes later, Tanner returned to the vehicle carrying an orange plastic carrier bag and got back into the front passenger seat.

Specialist officers, with the assistance of armed officers, followed the van as part of an intelligence-led investigation and stopped the vehicle nearby in Meopham, Kent.

During a search of the van, officers found an orange carrier bag in the front passenger foot well.

Inside the bag was a firearm with two barrels. Also inside was a black plastic bag, which had about 40 shotgun cartridges inside.

The firearm was made safe and was sent off for testing, which confirmed it was a sawn-off shotgun.

Tanner and the 27-year-old driver were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

They were taken to a south London police station and Tanner was subsequently charged later that day.

Detective Inspector Stephen Masterson, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This investigation led to a dangerous weapon being taken off the streets. Each shotgun cartridge seized had the terrifying potential to seriously injure or kill.

“Tackling violence remains the Met’s top priority. Taking firearms off the streets, stopping the supply and transporting of guns and identifying criminals who have access to dangerous weapons forms a key part of that commitment.

“However, we cannot tackle this issue alone and we rely on the support of the local community. I’d urge anyone who may have information about violent crime to contact the police or the independent charity Crimestoppers if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.”

The 27-year-old man was released and no further action was taken against him.