Police who ram moped suspects need protection, says Met federation chairman
POLICE officers using controversial new tactics to ram criminals off their mopeds could still find themselves in courts if the riders are seriously injured, a rank-and-file leader has warned.
Ken Marsh, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said officers were risking their “livelihood and liberty” when they deliberately crashed into suspected moped thieves.
While the new tactics have been approved by senior Scotland Yard figures, Mr Marsh said it was still not clear what protection was being offered to prevent officers being prosecuted.
The Metropolitan Police rolled out its new hardline tactics in a bid to drive down moped-enabled crime which saw some gangs stealing up to 30 mobile phones an hour in London.
Since the “tactical contact” policy was introduced earlier this year moped crime has fallen by 36 per cent.
But Mr Marsh said officers were still vulnerable if things went wrong and called for more assurances from Scotland Yard and the police watchdog. He said: “I have seen nothing yet about how our colleagues will be protected when the worst happens.
“Thankfully, in all the examples we have seen so far, there has not been a serious injury to a suspect.
“We need the senior management of the Metropolitan Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct to please explain that when this does happen – and it will – what position my colleagues will find themselves in?”
Mr Marsh said officers potentially faced a lengthy investigation just by starting a high-speed pursuit.
“It is a massive ask for our members. Officers have to carry out a dynamic risk assessment straight away and are having to make that split-second decision – do I pursue that individual?” Force chiefs have said that there is no maximum speed for police cars to hit mopeds.
Commander Amanda Pearson said: “Offenders who attempt to evade the police are making a choice that puts themselves and others at risk.
“We can, we will and we do target those involved in moped and motorcycle crime at every opportunity.”