Picture the scene: You get called to a knifepoint robbery where a member of the public has been ‘relieved’ of their belongings by two males on a moped who have mounted the pavement before threatening the victim at knifepoint.
You arrive in the area and see the two dangerous yet determined criminals making off on their stolen moped.
You get behind them in your response vehicle and start giving commentary to the control room in the hope that you can catch these violent thugs before they get away and rob more innocent members of the public.
However, during the pursuit, the passenger on the moped removes his helmet, because he knows that, chances are, you won’t be able to continue to pursue them as the control room Boss will ‘call off’ the pursuit through fear of the robbers getting injured…
Well, not anymore!
In a decision that will be welcomed by most people (other than criminals) the Met Police has now confirmed that, just because you are trying to get away on a motorbike, does not mean that you are going to be ‘let off’ by being allowed to get away from the police.
In a post on the Metropolitan Police Facebook page, a spokesperson said:
‘Lots of this morning’s front pages pick up on our tactics used against moped thieves. Our message is clear: we can, we will and we do target those involved in moped and motorcycle crime at every opportunity
‘Footage released (see below) on Friday by the Met shows the tactics that specially trained drivers are able to use to reduce the need for pursuits and prevent injury occurring to offenders and members of the public.
‘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.
Chief Inspector Jim Corbett from the Met’s Op Venice team:
“To mitigate risk to the public & also offenders, we use a range of tactics including tactical contact. There has been a significant reduction in motorcycle & scooter crime with a decrease of 10,974 offences to date this year in comparison to 2017”
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.
“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.”
Great decision here by @metpoliceuk – criminals on bikes USED to be able to escape the consequences of their actions…Not anymore… @mrjamesob | @LBC | @PFEW_Chair | @PFEW_HQ | @MPFed | @NPASLondon https://t.co/jteLaoqZBh
— Emergency Services News (@ES_News_) November 26, 2018
As a former Met Police Officer who has been told to ‘terminate’ a pursuit before involving criminals on mopeds, I am fully behind the Met’s decision here – as I am sure many of my former colleagues will also be.
It should be pointed out, that only specially trained police drivers will be allowed to ‘make contact’ with the motorbikes which fail to stop for the police.
And I am also sure that the victims of these sort of crimes will also be behind the Met’s new tough stance (including many members of the public).
Criminals who have stolen motorbikes in order to carry out their criminal activity now risk serious injury to themselves – and rightly so!
It is great that the Met are getting tough with this menace to our streets.
And if someone gets injured because they are running from the police? so what!?
If you don’t want to get injured:
A) Do not flee from the police
B) don’t commit crime!
It really is that simple.
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