United Kingdom – London – Metropolitan Police – Finally dispelling the myth that those using/stealing scooters and motorcycles will evade police if they remove helmets when being chased, the Met Police held a briefing on their “tactics” for disabling moped/scooter/motorcycle linked theft.
At the briefing in Scotland yard on Friday 23rd November, one might say a sort of a Black Friday for two wheeled enable thieves, police chiefs warned that there is no maximum speed for police cars to hit mopeds, and that it is a common misconception among moped thieves that officers will end their pursuit if the suspect drives dangerously or removes their helmet.
To compliment the briefing the Met Police also released video footage which shows the tactics that specially trained drivers (aptly named Scorpion team) are able to use to reduce the need for pursuits and prevent injury occurring to offenders and members of the public.
The Met Police briefing continued in detail as they highlighted the result of intensive proactive policing and engagement, led by the Operation Venice Investigations Team, which has seen a reduction in moped crime across London.
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.”
Commander Pearson has also been quoted as saying, “A lot of them get up and run away, looking aghast at how dare we.” also stating that, “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.
The head of the Met’s Operation Venice Team has said that, “Moped and motorcycle criminals will be targeted “at every opportunity”, even when they ride dangerously, discard their helmets and disguise themselves,
It is hoped that by demonstrating the full range of tactics that officers are prepared to use against moped and motorcycle criminals, potential offenders will think twice about their actions.”
Montage of police driver tactics
Any Time Of The Day Or Night
The Met Police say that 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.
Police use a range of tactics across London to tackle offenders. This includes DNA forensic tagging and the use of automatic tyre deflation devices.
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 reduction of 44 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 38 per cent.
Motorcycle Minds
This is certainly better news from this time last year and two years ago when riders demonstrated at the seemingly inaction of authorities in the reduction of two wheeled theft and enabled crime. The then weapon of choice in enabled crime included spraying acid and the use of other weapons.
Earlier this year we produced an article – Pursuits – Smashing The Myth – where we highlighted that one of the issues that has galled riders and has been perpetuated by the press, is that the police will not chase a suspected stolen motorcycle if the rider or pillion remove their helmets.
Police officers have faced internal investigation and faced prosecution, not just regarding motorcycle pursuits nor just un-helmeted pursuits – that have either ended in death or injury or not – to the suspect/s being chased and stopped.
Campaigning for the appropriate legislative change, the Police Federation was supported by senior backbench MP, Sir Henry Bellingham, who introduced, “His Emergency Response Drivers (Protections) Ten Minute Rule Bill in Parliament on 20 December 2017. The Bill was accepted with cross party sponsors and no dissent.” the bills outline was to provide protection for drivers of emergency vehicles responding to emergencies from civil liability and criminal prosecution in specified circumstances; to make related provision about criminal proceedings and sentencing; and for connected purposes.
However, the bill’s second reading in Parliament which was scheduled for March was objected to, which was to allow the government to review and report its findings to parliament. The bill’s second reading was provisionally scheduled to take place on Friday 6 July 2018 but provisionally postponed to yesterday Friday 23rd, the same day as the Met Police briefing on tactical stops, maybe a coincidence?
So maybe not a coincidence as the BBC report that, “The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it is investigating three cases involving “tactical contact” by Met police cars on scooters,” maybe just usual procedure in these types of incidents, as the reading of the bill was objected to, as debated in the House of Commons – text via Hansard:
Sir Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)
This is ridiculous! It is perfectly good. It is a very good Bill. How dare you? It is a superb Bill, and it has been objected to. My hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Sir Christopher Chope) (Motorcycle Minds – also a Conservative MP) has not even read the Bill.
Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)
Order. I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman does not have an opportunity to tell the House now what an excellent Bill this is, but he will have an opportunity to do so on 15 March 2019.
At least the Met Police have taken a step in the real world against this crime, as parliamentary procedures stews in its own juices, while delaying this bill introduced a year ago.
Original Source – Met reveals range of tactics used against moped thieves – Motorcycle Minds – Theft – House Of Commons Hansard
Example of police boxing in a rider
Downing Street supports Met ramming tactics
News from the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) regarding the use of tactical stops on suspected criminals riding on mopeds and motorcycles.
Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Sajid Javid have spoken out in defence of the new ramming tactics announced by the Metropolitan Police last week. The Prime Minister and the the Home Secretary have supported the “robust” police action and that “Risk-assessed tactical contact is exactly what we need“!
The Met’s Operation Venice Investigations Team are authorised to deliberately drive into suspected criminals riding on mopeds and motorcycles. It is thought that ‘tactical contact’ will deter potential offenders.
The new tactics have attracted criticism, notably from Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott who tweeted: “Knocking people off bikes is potentially very dangerous. It shouldn’t be legal for anyone. Police are not above the law.”
However, the Prime Minister supported the operational changes when questioned about the issue during her visit to Argentina for the G20 summit: “These people on these mopeds are acting unlawfully and committing crimes and I think it’s absolutely right that we see a robust police response to that.”
Javid has also come out in defence of the new approach, who tweeted: “Risk-assessed tactical contact is exactly what we need. Criminals are not above the law.”
There are concerns that police officers who knock suspects from vehicles and suffer injuries could face criminal charges.
The Metropolitan Police claim that the tactic has been instrumental in reducing moped-related crime by 36% in 2018 when compared with the same period in 2017.
Do you agree with the Met’s new approach? Share your thoughts on the BMF Facebook page or on the BMF Twitter page.
Original Source – British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF)
Moped Pursuits: Police Officers’ Livelihoods And Liberty Remain At Risk
Meanwhile quite rightly – “Ken Marsh, Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said he remains extremely concerned that officer’s livelihoods and liberty remain at risk should they knock a suspect off a bike and a person is injured.
“Metropolitan Police Officers must be supported by senior officers, the public, politicians and the IOPC when they carry out stops on moped riding criminals – whatever tactics are used.”
“There needs to be protections around this afforded to our colleagues – both in law, from the force and with public, political and media opinion. They are doing nothing more than their jobs, trying to apprehend someone who, nine times out of 10, has committed a horrendous offence.
Ollie Cochran, Professional Standards lead for the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “Our colleagues need assistance from politicians to put the legislation in place to ensure they are not prosecuted for doing their job.”
Original Source – Metropolitan Police Federation
More information over at – The UK Motorcycle Theft Protest Community – The UK Motorcycle Theft Protest is a UK based action group working towards forcing a change in the laws and helping stopping Motorcycle Theft and Crime.
On Facebook or try – Twitter – twitter.com/MotorcycleTheft
VIDEO: London scooter crime | The facts and the convictions
Have a read – plus more videos – from Bennetts BikeSocial Consumer Editor John Milbank.
“Earlier in the day – while sat in the back of the car – I’d seen a scooter flash past then dive between two busses. Andy and Matt weren’t concerned – they’d watched how the rider reacted to other traffic and noted their clothing and other subtle tells like the way they were looking around… this was a legitimate rider.”
“Recognising the criminals on scooters – who might be out to grab phones from tourists, snatch watches from locals, or commit a smash and grab from one of the luxury shops in the borough – isn’t always a simple case of seeing them two-up with balaclavas and no number plate. The plate might have been stolen, the helmets afford a degree of anonymity, and they won’t necessarily be riding erratically. All the time while out on the street, officers are watching how riders behave.”
Read Full Article
Meanwhile earlier in Manchester – Tactial Stop