BIKE CRIMINALS FEELING THE HEAT
93% reduction in moped crime in worst hit London borough
‘Last summer, one crime was reported every 50 minutes’
Moped-related crime in Islington and Camden has fallen to just 63 incidents in July, from a high of 897 last year. Islington and Camden was one of the worst hit areas in London during the moped crime spree last summer, with one crime reported every 50 minutes. It seemed the tide was turning earlier this year, with reports of a huge reduction in crime across the capital, but it was believed poor weather was partly responsible for the downturn. Police forces had avoided shouting from the rooftops about the reduction, in anticipation of a surge with the warmer weather. However, no such surge has materialised. If anything it’s gone down further. Speaking on Twitter, Inspector Richard Berns of the Camden Neighbour team said: “In July last year we (Camden & Islington) had 869 moped enabled theft snatches. So far this July, we have had 63. Unless we get 800 more crimes in the next few days that is quite a reduction. Well done to all involved.”
When questioned further he said he believed that while last year was unusually high, lots of work had been done since. “It’s thanks to the Metropolitan Roads and Policing team, improved tactics and support from the courts,” he explained. This news comes as the Met revealed a recent increase in successful convictions, a sharp contrast to the falling rates of crime investigation nationally. On July 26, Oguzcan Dereli was sentenced to 18 months in prison for theft while a pillion passenger on a moped. And the previous day, Michael Moss and Wade Spencer were both jailed for 18 months each for similar crimes.
The Met has also said that these increased rates of conviction are down to improved chase tactics, including more ‘tactical contacts’, but they have denied there was a pursuit ban in force following the death of Henry Hicks. Dectective Inspector Steve Brownlee, from the Operation Venice team that has been cracking down on moped crime, said: “These sentences should be a reminder to moped-enabled criminals intending on causing alarm and distress.”