High Speed Pursuit of Moped Riders in Chiswick Caught on Film
Met claim success in tackling scooter-enabled crime after Halloween crackdown
Chiswick High Road, earlier last night
— ThomastheTaxi (@thomasthetaxi) November 1, 2017
Scooter Scum pic.twitter.com/3Kt3b1ad4K
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Three bikes, one with a pillion passenger, were filmed weaving through traffic on Chiswick High Road travelling towards the junction with Goldhawk Road. The footage was published on Twitter by @thomasthetaxi.
This is the third such confirmed incident of this nature in the Chiswick area in less than a fortnight including when eight people were arrested in a residential street in north Chiswick after a pursuit involving a helicopter after a report of a firearm being discharged.
The police say that targeted intelligence-led operations, new tactics and joint working carried out since the start of the summer are starting to stem the rise in the levels of scooter-enabled crime. The Chiswick area has seen a string of crimes of this nature over the last few months.
Since April, the number of scooters stolen has decreased steadily; encouragingly, since July, the number of offences on scooters has also decreased. The police claim this is supplemented by rising arrest rates and convictions of prolific offenders.
For Halloween night the police were on the alert for ‘rideouts’ in which large groups on mopeds congregate with the intention of causing disruption.
New tactics have seen the use of forensic tagging, four new purpose built bikes and mobile remote controlled stingers. A crime prevention promotion encouraging scooter owners to increase their security is also resulting in better secured vehicles.
The Commissioner, Cressida Dick, said, "I was angered by the apparent perception amongst 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."
The Met is now using previously successful operations by Trident and Sceptre to roll-out an enhanced taskforce model in a bid to reduce scooter-enabled crime even further, targeted at those committing the most offences. A bespoke intelligence monitoring and tasking function will operate within the Met's 24/7 Pan-London control room to coordinate resources to provide an agile response to intelligence or crimes as they happen.
The Commissioner, continued, "Trident has had a huge impact on reducing the risks posed by the highest harm gang members; Sceptre has demonstrated the genuine impact that a specialist taskforce model can bring to bear and our prevention work is making it harder for criminals to operate and then evade arrest. In parallel, we are also targeting criminals' money, and seizing substantial amounts.
"We know that our 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."
Over the last three months - July to September 2017 - there has been a 25 per cent reduction in the theft of powered two wheelers. Over the same period there has been a 24 per cent decrease in scooter-enabled crime.
November 1, 2017
