The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that a major search under way at Falconwood Field in Greenwich is for a weapon, after four days in which officers refused to say what they were looking for.

The search is taking place inside a cordoned-off area at the field, off Rochester Way in south-east London. Officers, forensic teams and police dogs have been at the scene around the clock, and the cordon has expanded to close the entire field. Residents have reported seeing a forensic tent, police dogs and 24-hour patrols securing the area.

The force initially gave no information about the nature of the operation, prompting speculation among local residents and on the Nextdoor app about what officers were searching for. Some residents feared the search could be linked to a serious incident such as a rape, a search for a body, or a recent shooting.

On Saturday 7 November, the Metropolitan Police said there was no indication of a stabbing in the area, following reports of such an incident. A police spokesperson said only that a scene was in place for a search related to a separate incident.

By Sunday 8 November, the force confirmed to reporters that officers were looking for a weapon, but it would not say what type of weapon was being sought or give any details of the incident it was linked to. It has also not said whether any arrests have been made or how long officers are expected to remain at the scene.

The Met has stressed that the search is not connected to the murder investigation launched on 4 November after Terry Dearsley, 32, died after being shot in a car in Frances Street, Woolwich, on 22 October. Nor is it connected to a separate stabbing on 31 October, in which a teenager was stabbed and had his e-bike stolen, the force said.

"The Met has said it is not connected to any of these specific incidents or scenarios," local reporting of the force's statement said. "However, it has confirmed it is in relation to a search for a weapon in connection with an unconnected incident of which it has not released details."

Footage released by Crime Scene Images London showed several officers involved in the search, and there have been reports of dogs being used. One witness described a large crime scene that had been in place for several days and had expanded to close the entire field, with police search teams and dogs working while multiple police units controlled the area around the clock.

"There is a large crime scene in Falconwood field, Greenwich. It has been in place for several days and has expanded today to close the entire field," the witness said. "Police search teams and dogs have been searching. The area is controlled by multiple police units 24/7 but the police won't tell the local residents why."

Another person travelling through the area described seeing a van and a significant police presence, including forensic teams. It remains unclear what prompted the operation, and police have not named any other incident in connection with it.

The search continues, with the cordon still in place at Falconwood Field. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.