Police 'lock down' inner-Sydney suburb to target gang

Officers from the Raptor Squad - set up to target bikie and other gangs - and other commands flooded parts of Drummoyne in the city's inner west to undertake firearm checks on Thursday night.

After searching an address on St Georges Crescent, home to a stretch of multimillion-dollar waterfront properties, officers locked down several surrounding streets to search cars and talk to neighbours.

Raptor Squad commander Andrew Koutsoufis said organised-crime figures living on the street had recruited private security for protection and they had been harassing residents.

"These individuals are under imminent threat of harm from other members of other criminal networks," he told ABC Sydney radio on Friday.

"(But) we can't have people living in that area feeling threatened or harassed just because they want to walk up and down the street."

Detective Superintendent Koutsoufis said the people under investigation were members of a "very well-known criminal network" but declined to provide further details.

"I think the local residents are well aware of who they are and that's just confirmed from who we spoke to last night," he said.

Officers spoke to more than 100 residents, seized $30,000 cash and searched seven people and five vehicles, according to a police statement.

But despite the heavy law-enforcement presence, no charges were laid or weapons seized.

Det Supt Koutsoufis said police considered it a "good thing" no weapons were found during the household searches.

"Our job isn't just reacting to crime after it happens but stopping it from happening before it has a chance to," he said.

"We do that through proactive operations like this; focusing on firearm compliance, vehicle searches, and talking directly to residents - who shouldn't have to feel threatened just by where they live."

Australian Associated Press