6 dni temu
Metropolitan Police launched a new policing plan on Tuesday deploying officers on high-speed e-bikes to pursue criminals using illegal e-bikes for phone snatching and robberies across London. The initiative immediately resulted in 16 e-bikes confiscated and one person detained on suspicion of a sexual offence during operations in central London.
The crackdown addresses a growing crime wave affecting the capital. In 2024, thieves stole 117,000 devices in London - a 25% increase from 2019. Criminals exploit e-bikes that can exceed 50mph to silently approach victims and escape rapidly, far surpassing the UK legal limit of 15.5mph for e-bike motors.
Police now deploy their own fleet of Surron e-bikes capable of matching suspects' speeds through narrow streets. Officers work alongside "interceptor teams" in unmarked high-speed SUVs trained to block or, in extreme cases, knock suspects off bikes. Commander Neerav Patel, who leads the Met's operations against illegal e-bikes, said: «Officers will be using an intelligence-led approach to precisely target hotspots, make arrests, and clear thousands of illegal vehicles from our streets.»
The Met has already seized over 2,500 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in the past year. Many confiscated bikes belong to food delivery drivers who unknowingly purchased illegal vehicles online. Modified e-bikes, often identifiable by noticeably larger battery packs, can be created using conversion kits available online for as little as £300.
Facial Recognition Technology
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley described facial recognition as «tremendously powerful» and one of the biggest innovations in crime-fighting seen in decades. The technology has enabled arrests of the best part of 1,000 criminals over the last year, according to the Met.
Rowley told Metro ahead of operations: «These e-bikes are dangerous, it's anti-social, some are involved in crime, it's not nice if you are walking along the pavement and one of these screams past you.» He warned potential buyers: «This issue comes up in every borough if you are buying e bikes at Christmas they better be legal (or you will lose them).»
The Home Office has funded facial recognition initiatives with £12.6 million last year, including £2.8 million for live facial recognition programs. Ministers are seeking to increase police use of the technology despite criticism. The Equality and Human Rights Commission earlier this year described the Met Police's policy on live facial recognition technology as «unlawful,» citing insufficient safeguards and a potential «chilling effect» on individual rights at protests.
Crime Statistics Show Impact
The intensified enforcement forms part of phase two of the Met's "A New Met For London" plan, launched Tuesday. Crime statistics from April 1 to October 29 show significant reductions in the West End compared to last year: theft from person down 23.7%, knife crime down 22.3%, personal robbery down 14.1%, and vehicle offences down 13.7%.
Rowley stated: «Crime in the West End is lower than this time last year,» while announcing that neighbourhood offences across London have decreased by nearly 15%. The Met reports solving 92% more shoplifting cases this year, with the murder rate at a five-year low and around 1,000 extra suspects arrested monthly.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan welcomed the plan's second phase, noting that the Met's efforts have achieved crime reductions and increased public trust, backed by record £1.16 billion funding from City Hall this year.
Sergeant Ryan Perry, leading pursuit operations, emphasized the challenge officers face: «The people that ride their versions of these bikes will not care for pedestrians, they will not care for red lights, they will travel at 50-plus miles an hour. We have to manage that risk as well.» He warned criminals ahead of the festive period: «If you want to come into London to commit those type of offences, then be prepared to meet my team.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
