Army may be called in to fix bike crime

As the police struggle with motorcycle theft, the army may be called in to fix the situation

Recent crime figures have shown that vehicle theft has risen 18.6% nationwide in the last year and 25.9% in London, which is a trend that will have been plain to see for bike owners. The thieves are more brazen than ever, posting pictures of bikes they’ve stolen on social media. It’s now crossed over into the public consciousness after a spate of acid attacks in London, committed by gang members on scooters. The police are struggling to get a grip because they say they’re underfunded, with police numbers now at their lowest since 1985. Now sources have told MCN that the police are looking to call in the Army, due to their struggle in recruiting firearms officers.

TOP STORIES

• Honda Gold Wing gets overhaul for 2018
• Volkswagen board says Ducati not for sale
• BSB: Realistic Irwin expecting to be closer
• BMW’s radical new S1000RR
• Survey reveals shocking phone use among drivers

Former police officers we have spoken to say this stems from the police’s so-called ‘no chase’ policy after the death of Henry Hicks in 2014. Hicks was being pursued by unmarked cars when he came off his moped and was killed. According to an MCN source, an official communiqué has warned officers against pursuits due to the potential recourse in the event of the scooter riders being hurt, leading to gangs running amok under the pretence that the police are powerless to stop them.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said:  “Moped crime is reckless, frightening and intimidating and will not be tolerated on the streets of London. The Mayor views this crime as an extremely serious offence and fully supports the police to crackdown on perpetrators.”

We contacted the Met Police and they said: “We are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who use mopeds, motorbikes and bicycles to snatch valuables from members of the public.

In the meantime the police are suggesting people choose their parking spots carefully – preferably one covered by CCTV and with a ground anchor. They also say to use more than one lock and ideally a combination of a disc lock and a chain, as they require different tools to break.