Video: British Police Ram Moped Riders to Crack Crime Wave

A new crime wave started on London’s streets a few years ago, as “moped gangs” ran riot, using the two-wheeled vehicles to outrun, outwit, and out-swerve law enforcement as they snatched phones, rammed jewellers, and mugged commuters.

Described by one expert as an “updated version of street mugging,” moped crime rapidly rose across the capital, reaching an average of around 60 crimes a week in the year ending May 2018.

But London’s police believe they have now cracked the threat with a hardline approach, releasing a video that shows them using ramming manoeuvres—more typically associated with car pursuits—on moped riders, including one without a helmet.

They have also been using forensic tagging spray to mark riders who try to flee on foot.

Weighing Up the Risks

London’s Metropolitan police say that the latest figures show that their tactics, initiated a year ago, are working, with attacks dropping in recent months.

A Metropolitan police statement said, “Moped crime can happen at any time of the day or night and some criminals have stolen up to 30 phones in an hour. Victims are often targeted as they come out of tube stations or at transport hubs. Thieves also snatch handbags, high-value watches, and other items. ”

By releasing the video of the moves (often with a bumpy end for the rider) the police hope to make would-be moped gang members think twice before they get in the saddle.

Commander Amanda Pearson of Frontline Policing, said, “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.”

‘They Rely on Shock Value’

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

In addition to the more dramatic moves showcased in the video, the police also use a range of other tactics, including DNA forensic tagging, lightweight bikes that can navigate through narrow streets, and the use of automatic tyre deflation devices.

Mohammad Khaleghi was sprayed with DNA tagging liquid as he ran away from his moped after being stopped by police. (Metropolitan police)

According to the police, the new tactics are working, with the latest year-on-year figures showing moped crime falling by 36 percent, dropping from 19,455 offences in Jan-Oct last year, to 12,419 offences in the same period this year.

Simon Harding, senior lecturer in criminology at Middlesex University previously described the crime as “an updated version of street mugging.”

“Mostly they’ll try to snatch the items, but occasionally, they will threaten violence or even use violence in order to get what they want,” he said. “They rely on the shock value, and that quite often works.”

Harding said that when police catch one gang or an individual, it may well resolve as many as 200 offenses.

“It would be wrong to think that because there are thousands of offenses there are thousands of people out there doing it. It’s groups of individuals responsible for multiple incidents,” he said. “In the course of a week, it’s not been unheard of [for criminals] to commit over 100 offenses in one week.”

Jane Gray contributed to this article.