‘Moped robber’ 16, dies in crash with police car
A SUSPECTED robber on a moped suffered fatal injuries in a horror smash with a police car.
The 16-year- old and two other teenagers were taken to hospital after the collision in Wimbledon, South West London.
They were riding a moped stolen four days earlier when they hit the rear passenger door of the marked police car.
The car was involved in a search for the teenagers who were suspected of robbery. Two large knives were recovered.
It comes amid widespread concern over an epidemic of crimes committed by roaming gangs on motorcycles.
Police have abandoned chasing them in some cases because their reckless driving means officers fear being blamed if they are injured or die.
The crash was captured on camera by a police helicopter early on Sunday, hours before the men’s final at the All England Tennis Club, almost two miles away.
It is now at the centre of an investigation by the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the 16-year-old died in hospital the next day. A second boy, also 16, remains in hospital.
A third suspect, aged 15, was released from hospital on Tuesday and arrested for motoring offences, attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.
The patrol car was travelling north along a road lined with houses when it passed through a crossroads and was hit by the moped. An IPCC spokesman said officials have spoken to the families of all three teenagers. Their identities are not known.
Robbers on motorcycles armed with knives, machetes, power tools and even fire extinguishers are responsible for a terrifying crime wave. The number of related
‘They are sick to the back teeth of this’
offences has risen by 600 per cent in two years as they commit up to 50,000 offences a year.
In London there were 11,389 crimes involving mopeds and other two-wheeled vehicles last year, a seven-fold increase on 2015.
Detectives say they are targeting at least 500 known offenders behind the crime spree, many of whom are motivated by the thrill of breaking the law.
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, called on ministers to give greater protection to officers.
He said policemen would not chase so-called ‘pavement pirates’ if they throw off their helmets as they could face prosecution if the suspects injure themselves.
Mr Marsh told BBC Radio London that the ‘lawlessness’ on the streets was ‘abhorrent’.
He added: ‘If there are individuals on mopeds without crash helmets on we will not pursue.
‘Common sense would dictate that were my colleagues to pursue and an injury took place, you would understand the ramifications of that and the public outcry should the said person fall off their moped and die.
‘My colleagues are sick to the back teeth of this, they have had enough of it. They are fed up with putting themselves on the line without the support of the Government.’
Tom Milsom, of the IPCC, said: ‘This is a tragic loss of a young life and my sympathies are with the boy’s family and friends.
‘We are investigating the circumstances of this incident and, at this time, no individual officer is under investigation.’
In recent weeks, a builder was stabbed to death by moped muggers after refusing to hand over his Rolex and in another instance Daniel Radcliffe dashed to help a tourist who was slashed in the face by riders who snatched his bag.