The Crime Prevention Website

It seems that this latest method of robbery and snatch theft is being reported by the media much more often these days. The information below has been taken from the Met Police Website and I’ve followed this up with a few observations and crime prevention recommendations:

The Met Police report

Detectives appealing for information and witnesses following an attempted robbery in central London by a group on four mopeds have released CCTV of the incident [See the link below].

At 03:10 hrs on Sunday, 30 April, the victim was walking north up Park Lane, Westminster on the opposite side of the road to Hyde Park.

He was suddenly surrounded by eight suspects riding four mopeds, who attempted to snatch his watch. The victim was able to run away, but was caught again moments later, when one of the mopeds collided with his leg. The victim later needed treatment for a broken leg, but he was still able to crawl away from his attackers, who rode off empty-handed.

The victim - a male in his 30s - does not wish to be identified. He is not a UK national and he was on holiday in London at the time of the incident.

Detectives from Westminster CID are investigating.

Detective Constable Richard Kidd said: "This happened just after 3am, when a group of four or possibly more mopeds riding together would have been conspicuous.

"I want to hear from anyone who recalls seeing such a group, or who may have seen the mopeds being abandoned - or perhaps being stored in a lockup or similar location - in the early hours of Sunday, 30 April. One of the mopeds would have sustained damage to its left side."

Anyone with information that may assist police should call Westminster CID via 101. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

My observations

It seems that there is a near epidemic of these types of crime, which according to Chris Greenwood, Chief Crime Correspondent of the Daily Mail, are happening at the rate of one an hour across London (or it may be the UK as the report is not clear).

Moped snatch thefts and robberies are not just confined to London as copycat offences have been reported from other urban centres, such as Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle.

Unfortunately, whilst it is important for the police and media to report these matters to the public, not least to obtain evidence to arrest and prosecute the assailants, it is inevitable that such news exposure will result in other criminals trying out the same methods.

Just a moment’s thought tells me that there are several distinct advantages for the thieves using mopeds:

  • A low chance of being facially identified as the thief is ‘legally’ wearing a crash helmet
  • A very fast getaway after the event
  • The ability to use the moped (or motorcycle) as a weapon
  • Unlike a car these mopeds can also be driven off-road and along footways to attack the victim and, in some cases, to escape pursuit by the police.
  • Most incidents have involved a rider and a pillion passenger who can also wield a weapon

It’s also interesting to note that the robbers often drive around in packs (four mopeds at least were involved in the attack described above). I have also assumed that the mopeds are probably stolen in the first place, which yet again frustrates the police attempts to identify the culprits.  

How to protect yourself against such attacks

Clearly there is something about the potential victim that makes them the target. In the case of the incident above it appears to have been his watch. So, what little advice can I give my readers at the moment?

  • Visit the local police website for the latest news of such crimes so that you know where they are more likely to take place and their frequency
  • Walk with a sense of purpose with your head up and look around as you go. If you are going to be walking (maybe to home or to the station/bus stop) think ahead and don’t drink too much alcohol
  • Don’t walk along the street with expensive jewellery on view
  • Don’t use your mobile phone whilst walking, but if you absolutely need to use it first stop and look around for potential threats. If all seems to be OK then stand with your back against the wall or shop front and keep looking around. You could be holding a £500 phone in your hand and they are easily snatched, not just by moped robbers, but by a running robber too
  • If you are attacked and you cannot escape into a building, such as a pub, shop etc then you will probably automatically react in one of three different ways. People either fight, freeze or flee. The police will no doubt recommend you do nothing that would result in you becoming injured, because a phone or a piece of jewellery or some cash is not worth a few days in hospital. This seems to make sense, but there is no accounting for victim’s automatic reactions
  • Take a look at my articles in Robbery and Theft Risk, some content of which is relevant

I am going to keep an eye on this type of crime and will report back again in the near future.  

Click here to see a video of the above incident

Click here to see the Met’s news concerning the arrest of a 15 year-old youth in connection with a series of ‘moped robberies’ in Westminster and Camden

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