Protect officers against moped muggers, says police union

POLICE are afraid of pursuing muggers on mopeds because their careers and lives could be ruined if a chase ends with a criminal being injured and an investigation launched, the Police Federation has said.

The stark warning from the federation, which represents rank and file officers, comes as it emerged a 24-year-old woman was yesterday fighting for her life after robbers on a scooter attacked her, stealing her bag and phone, in London.

A moped gang wielding knives and hammers also yesterday targeted a jewellery shop, in the capital’s Regent Street, the third time in four months Watches of Switzerland has been raided. One man has been arrested. Meanwhile, on Monday the comedian Michael Mcintyre was robbed of his watch after a man on a scooter smashed his car windows while he was on the school run in Hampstead.

Metropolitan Police statistics show that in the 12 months up to May this year, there were 22,025 crimes carried out by criminals on scooters – equivalent to 60 a day.

The Government has promised to change the law to better protect police drivers pursuing criminals on mopeds, but Sgt Tim Rogers, the Police Federation’s lead on pursuits, said ministers must act quickly. “There are many officers up and down the country who have reservations about doing the job they are expected to do,” he said.

A police officer stands guard at Watches of Switzerland on London’s Regent Street and a scooter can be seen lying inside the store after raiders armed with knives and hammers entered and stole several items of property

A bike lies discarded at the watch store