London's Met Police only solved 3% of scooter crimes over 12 months

THE METROPOLITAN Police weren’t able to solve 97% of crimes committed by scooter (often erroneously described as ‘mopeds’) riders — despite the force increasing its capacity to tackle these incidents.

According to data released by the London police service, just 2.6% of all cases involving  scooter gangs were successfully solved in the 12 months preceding May 2018. In contrast, the same period the previous year was mildly higher, at 3.1%.

The statistics also revealed the remaining 97% of unsolved reported cases amounts to a rather high number of crimes, with the Metropolitan Police being unable to bring about justice in 23,651 recorded incidents.

However, more recent statistics show a slight improvement in the numbers of offenders being detained. In April and May this year, Scotland Yard solved 4.1% of the 2,436 offences that occurred in the capital.

The increase is likely in response to a wave of measures the Met Police introduced from October 2017, following a boom in crimes involving scooter gangs and related increase in media attention.

The new techniques range from increased motorbike police patrols to DNA tagging sprays and remotely-operated tyre deflation technology.

Speaking to The Times, the Met’s Detective Superintendant Lee Hill confirmed: “Following the introduction … of slim-line motorcycles, DNA forensic tagging and our dedicated Operation Venice teams, we have seen a decline in offences and more offenders being caught and brought to justice.”

An additional statement from the force reiterated that point, by highlighting how the London constabulary is “actively targeting moped-enabled criminals to ensure we maintain public safety and make offending difficult for those intent on committing these crimes”.

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