Police swoop on suspected moped crooks
THIS is the dramatic moment two plain-clothed police officers on scrambler bikes swoop and take out a gang of suspected moped crooks.
Dashcam footage shows Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on bikes catch up with two moped riders and force them to stop at a roundabout.
One rider makes a run for it while the other and his passenger are held by the undercover officers.
The incident was filmed in Manchester’s Moston just weeks after the Daily Express’s Stop The Moped Madness crusade won widespread support from MPs.
It is unclear if the moped riders were thieves or simply being stopped by police for dangerous driving.
But on social media the pro-active force’s actions have been hailed by the public – who urged London’s Metropolitan Police to use similar methods.
Paul Forrest wrote: “Get in! Maybe they can use this tactic in London against the robbers on scooters.”
Douglas Dickson said: “Awesome, love it – we need more of that in London.”
There are no official figures for the number of moped crimes taking place in Greater Manchester, but Chief Inspector Tariq Butt, who heads up GMP’s Road Policing Unit, said it is a “big concern” for the North-west force.
Last July GMP launched a specialist bike-riding “Safer Roads Targeting Team” to tackle the issue of moped crime.
Recent figures from the Met show crimes committed using mopeds, motorcycles and scooters soared by 50 per cent to 22,025 in the year to May.
It comes as a former gang member revealed how London’s moped thieves make up to £2,000 a day and can become “addicted” to the thrill and the easy money.
The 25-year-old admitted the situation was “out of control” as gangs are increasingly organised.
He said: “There is still that buzz behind thieving. You just think why do nine hours of work when I can get a moped and earn three times the money?”
Detective Superintendent Lee Hill of the Met said the force has its own bike squad who ride new lightweight BMW motorcycles.
He added: “Police are using a range of tactics to make the streets hostile territory for criminals who use scooters, mopeds and motorbikes”.