Police may knock thieves off scooters, says watchdog

POLICE watchdogs have endorsed the tactic of knocking thieves off their motor scooters as a “legitimate use of force” for specially-trained officers.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has issued guidance to “support” them in carrying out their duties and ensure that “any dangerous situations created by police pursuits are brought to an end as swiftly as possible”.

The new guidance covers use of alternative tactics, weighing up the severity of the suspected offence, and the likelihood of causing injury to the riders, others and themselves, the IOPC said. It also reinforces that the use of the tactic must be authorised.

The manoeuvre was launched by the Met last year with much fanfare amid efforts to tackle offenders using motorcycles and scooters.

Others raised questions about the rights of the suspect, and the protection for officers involved in tactical contact.

Jonathan Green, IOPC deputy director general, said: “The new guidance helps officers weigh up the risks in fastmoving situations so that they can carry out stops effectively, and at the same time offers reassurance to the public that the tactic is used as safely and proportionately as possible.”

A Bill in the Queen’s Speech gives police more protection to pursue criminals on scooters through a new legal test that assesses their actions against that of a highly-trained driver, rather than a member of the public driving at such speeds.