Moped crime crackdown as capital reels from spate of brazen attacks and violent robberies

A crackdown on criminals using mopeds to carry out brazen attacks and violent robberies in London has been announced by the Metropolitan Police.

Moped-enabled crimes in the capital have risen seven-fold since 2014.

The Met announced new measures to tackle scooter-enabled crime on the same day it launched a fresh appeal to find members of a moped gang who carried out a shocking smash-and-grab raid at a luxury handbag store.

New tactics include forensic tagging, four new purpose-built bikes and mobile remote controlled stingers that the Met hopes will discourage moped-enabled criminals.

Moped-related crimes

Scooter owners are also being urged to increase the security of their bikes as many of the mopeds used to carry out crimes in London are stolen.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, said: "I have been clear that tackling violence is my priority.

"I was angered by the apparent perception among some criminals that they could operate with near impunity, committing strings of offences using scooters.

"We have brought all our tactics and specialists together to use every ethical option to put a stop to the rise; arrest those responsible; disrupt offenders; dismantle the criminal markets that make these offences lucrative and change the public's behaviour to make them a part of our effort."

Time Line

Moped-enabled crimes in October

Smash-and-grab raid

A fresh appeal to find a moped gang who broke in and snatched designer handbags from a Chelsea store in February was launched on October 31.

Detectives from Kensington and Chelsea have made six arrests in connection with the investigation.

A 23-year-old man was subsequently charged with burglary. The other five were released with no further action.
Kensal Green moped gang kick woman from bike

A woman had her moped snatched from beneath her by a pair of violent thieves in Kensal Green on October 23. No arrests have yet been made.
Kilburn MP calls moped crime meeting

Hampstead and Kilburn MP, Tulip Siddiq, called a moped-related crime meeting on October 26 with Brent and Camden police after being contacted by a large number of fearful residents.
Moped rider arrested for knifepoint robbery

The driver of a moped that crashed in Chelsea on October 17 was arrested for offences including a knifepoint robbery.

The vehicle was involved in a collision with a car in King’s Road.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of a series of traffic offences and robbery, and was bailed to return to a central London police station on a date in early November.
Knightsbridge smash-and-grab

CCTV footage released by the Met on October 16 showed four men attempting to carry out a smash-and-grab on a Knightsbridge store before escaping on mopeds.

The attempted break-in took place outside a shop in Cheval Place on September 22.

Police are still appealing for information about what happened.

On September 27 an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and subsequently released on bail.
Teenage moped gang jailed

Teenagers who snatched more than 100 mobile phones during attacks in London were jailed on October 11.

They were sentenced to a total of 13 years in detention.
Moped gang caught snatching phones on camera

Shocking footage issued by Metropolitan Police showed the moment members of a moped gang were caught in the act in the midst of their callous crime spree, during which they stole more than 100 phones from members of the public in just five days - between April 18 and May 5.

They targeted people on the streets of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Islington and Camden over the course of three weeks.

The Met is also rolling out an enhanced taskforce and a bespoke intelligence team in a bid to reduce scooter-enabled crime.

According to Met figures from July to September 2017, there has been a 25% reduction in scooter thefts.

New lightweight BMW motorbikes to help Met officers catch so-called moped-enabled criminals (Image: Met)

Commissioner Dick added: "We know that a criminal cohort committing crime on scooters also carry knives, have links to networks who handle stolen property and who deal drugs.

"So if you are a persistent phone thief - using a scooter to commit your crimes - and we can prove your involvement in other offences, such as drug dealing, you will be arrested.

"This is where the public can help us. I want to mobilise communities, to channel their outrage as part of a joint effort to make our streets safer.

"Look after your belongings, follow our security advice and tell us about the people who are responsible for crime in your communities and help us tackle them."