Police Get Tough on Moped Criminals

Moped and motorcycle criminals will be targeted "at every opportunity", even when they ride dangerously, discard their helmets and disguise themselves, the head of the Metropolitan Police's Operation Venice Team has said.

Footage released by the Met, shown below, demonstrates the use of tactical contact between police vehicles and fleeing moped and motorcycle criminals.

Reading around it appears there is widespread public support for the police using tougher tactics against moped criminals. The Government has also come out in support of these tactics.

Home Secretary, Sajid Javid MP, said: "Risk-assessed tactical contact is exactly what we need. Criminals are not above the law."

Going against the grain, Diane Abbott MP, the Shadow Home Secretary, posted the following tweet in response: "Knocking people off bikes is potentially very dangerous. It shouldn't be legal for anyone. Police are not above the law."

An official Met Twitter account (@MPSCamden) replied: "Someone who's responsible for law-making (or at least debating and ratifying new legislation) should probably realise that using tactical contact to terminate dangerous pursuits is entirely within our lawful power. And our responsibility."

Ouch.

From a legal perspective the police's actions are supported by section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, which states the following: "A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large."

Until now the police were generally reluctant to use tactical contact against moped and motorcycle criminals, fearing litigation and reprisals if such a criminal was injured during a pursuit. But with a ten-fold increase in moped crimes in the last 3 years - many of them involving the threat of violence and weapons - the gloves are now off.

Latest year-on-year figures for moped crime show that in January 2017 to October 2017 there were 19,455 offences across London compared to January 2018 to October 2018 when there were 12,419 offences (7,036 fewer offences) - a fall of 36 per cent.

Latest year-on-year figures for theft of mopeds show that in January 2017 to October 2017 there were 12,192 offences across London compared to January 2018 to October 2018 when there were 8,261 offences (3,931 fewer offences) - a reduction of 32 per cent.

Commander Amanda Pearson of Frontline Policing, said: "The Met is at the forefront of tackling moped and motorcycle crime and I am pleased to see that we have seen a reduction in offences. However, we are not complacent and we will continue to work tirelessly across London to maintain this downward trend.

"Operation Venice can call on all manner of tactics from an experienced investigation team to police helicopters to tackle and arrest offenders.

"There is a perception that if you remove your helmet or fail to stop for police when requested to do so we will not take any further course of action. This is untrue.

"The public quite rightly expects us to intervene to keep London safe. Our highly trained police drivers weigh up the risks and decide upon the most appropriate tactics in those circumstances.

"Offenders on mopeds and motorcycles who attempt to evade the police are making a choice that puts themselves and others at risk.

"So our message is clear: we can, we will and we do target those involved in moped and motorcycle crime at every opportunity."