Scooter riders risk public opinion, one and the same, as London’s ruthless criminal scooter gangs

In recent years the UK has seen an unprecedented number of crimes committed on scooters (aka moped’s) and other 2 wheeled vehicles, which have been stolen for their ease of use in smash & grabs, purse snatching, and most notably, the theft of mobile phones, due to the increase in the value of their spare parts.

London’s Daily Mail newspaper indicated that Scotland Yard recorded 22,025 bike muggings in the 12 months up to May 2018. The true figure is likely to be far higher, as many victims do not report the crime out of embarrassment.

According to London Metropolitan Police records, just 2.6 per cent of all cases involving  scooter gangs were successfully solved in the 12 months preceding May 2018.

Police fear giving chase to offenders citing the possibility of being charged with reckless driving as well as the risk of injuries or death not just to suspects but also to innocent bystanders.

Thieves are exploiting this fear by removing their helmets during chases. The UK’s Police Federation is asking for legislation to protect officers in their pursuit of offenders.

Two wheel crimes are not exclusive to the UK, in Italy, particularly Naples, the scooter criminals are referred to as Scippatori (Italian for scooter bandits) and unfortunately the same scooter crimes exsist in many other countries.

Nor are the thefts the exclusive domain of the scooter or motorcycle, the below video was captured in a parking lot in the United States, where a car was used in an attempted purse snatch.

Nonetheless, for committing the crimes which have a negative impact for the victims and all scooter and motorcycle riders, the quick and nimble scooter is the vehicle of choice.

Placing riders at risk of being associated one and the same with the criminals, an attitude which can become entrenched across public opinion.

To make it more difficult for a criminal to ‘acquire’ their ride, riders are advised to lock more than the scooters front wheel.

The UK newspaper Evening Standard reported that with just the key out, the average thief can steal a scooter in 30 – 40 seconds and two wheeled vehicles were stolen at the rate of 1500 per month.
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To make it more difficult for a criminal to ‘acquire’ their ride, riders are advised to lock more than the front wheel, to lock the machine to an item actually secured to the street and to cover the vehicle. Trackers and after market devices such as immobilizers and alarms are also suggested.

While the police employ additional covert operations, more patrols, and new introduce new equipment such as, slimline motorcycles that can drive down narrow streets, remote-control tire deflation devices and a fluorescent DNA spray which stays on skin for up to 8 weeks.

While the Government consults on new police pursuit rules that would make suspects responsible for their own driving and prevent officers from being prosecuted for their driving during a chase.

While the scooter industry implements theft prevention improvements, which are expected to take 2-3 years.

While Government, Police and Industry respect their mandates, we riders can also contribute by ensuring that our bikes are not an, easy steal.

Photos: BBC Video / YouTube

BBC Video interview with a London scooter gang criminal, “How Britain’s Moped Gangs Can Rob You”.