Police are investigating after a handgun was found dumped in Eton Avenue in Belsize Park near several primary schools.
The firearm was discovered at around 5am on Sunday after police received a call.
A Met spokesman said: “Officers attended the scene and the gun was recovered and made safe.
“Police enquiries continue to establish how the gun came to have been left at that location. This will include a forensic examination of the weapon.
Eton Avenue, in the heart of Belsize Park, is a leafy residential street which is also home to Sarum Hall and Trevor Roberts primary schools and The Central School of Speech and Drama.
The police spokesman said no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or crimestoppers anonymously.
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