Officers scrambled to Peckham on Wednesday after 999 operators received ‘multiple’ calls about an armed robbery in Rye Lane.
Four men with knives were seen in broad daylight at around 2.40pm June 23. Several hours later, at around 6.30pm, members of the public called police reporting two armed males in the Queens Road area, matching a similar description.
A police search recovered a large ‘zombie knife’ from the Somerville Estate in Lewisham.
Officers authorised a stop and search section 60 from 7pm that night until 7am on Thursday covering much of south-east Southwark.
An increased police presence will also be in place over the coming days.
Anyone with information should call 101 or speak with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.