Hounslow police have launched a campaign to clamp down on dangerous moped drivers speeding around the borough's roads.
Officers have joined forces with Hounslow Council and Tesco to put the brakes on antisocial petrol-heads causing nuisance for residents.
In a bid to tackle the problem, staff at the Tesco superstore in Feltham have taken the lead in the campaign, and will refuse to sell petrol to customers they suspect may be using mopeds wrongly or illegally, while the police will alert petrol station staff to known offenders.
Staff will ask for ID from young people buying petrol, especially those filling jerry cans, riding in groups or without a helmet, and will continue to refuse the sale of petrol to anyone driving a motorbike that is not road legal or without a number plate.
Feltham safer neighbourhoods team acting inspector, Nigel Treacy, said: “Hounslow police undertook a similar scheme last year with a smaller petrol station.
"This was received very well by local residents and it did have an effect on the number of calls regarding mopeds causing a nuisance in that area.
"We are hoping that as Tesco are now involved the wider impact will be much greater.”
The campaign crackdown in Hounslow is in response to families' concerns over noise and misuse of the vehicles.
Councillor Richard Foote, cabinet member for community protection at Hounslow Council, said: “Tesco Feltham was the first petrol station to sign up to support this joint effort between the council and the police.
"This came about following complaints from residents at a recent area forum meeting which we have listened and responded to.
“Less than a week after launching the new policy, a further three Tesco petrol stations have agreed to support this initiative, which is great news.
“These mopeds are causing a lot of nuisance to residents, mainly as they are very noisy, but riding them can be dangerous too, especially if the riders are not wearing helmets.
“I hope our efforts put an end to this behaviour so we can protect young people tempted to use mopeds, as well as restore the peace and quiet in our community.”
If you manage or own a petrol station in Hounslow and want to support this campaign, contact your local safer neighbourhoods team through the Met website.
