The latest from the moped mafia in neighbouring Dulwich:
Our illustrious leaders tell police not to pursue these dangerous criminals, and focus finite police resources on catching innocent drivers doing 24mph instead.
How can we better influence these policies? I’m impatient at the inscrutability of it all.
All getting too common now, thankfully NPAS have been hard at work over the weekend and some of these things have resulted in swift arrests.
Thefts like this are truly scary and disturbing.
However I agree with the point you make, the police can’t do everything at the same time.
On Sunday, I saw two kids with no helmets riding a scooter on the pavement in Sydenham and bumping pedestrians out of the way.
Two cars behind me was a police van.
It didn’t stop.
When are the Met going to admit that they don’t police the roads any more?
They are not allowed to chase riders with no helmets, end of. As anon64893700 says, you dont like it tell your MP to change the stupid policy.
My MP is too busy looking forward to his retirement.
Also, at what point does the safety of the illegal rider overtake the safety of pedestrians being bumped off the pavement?
Because if the police chase the moped, the rider falls off and injures themselves the police involve face being prosecuted, sacked and the poor lamb who fell off will no doubt sue. So would you chase them if you were the police.
This isn’t a hypothetical “they might hit someone on the pavement”, this was an actual they DID hit someone on the pavement.
As for whether I would chase them or not, at least if you chase them then you might actually see them for long enough that you could identify them again…
MH, I feel your pain. I have had two of these idiots attack me in the street when they tried to steal my neighbours motorbike, I have seen them trying to steal other bikes. What you and I do to them is one thing, what the police can do is another.
The local police would like nothing more than chasing and catching them, but cannot. It annoys them immensely.
I am sorry that pedestrians where hit but police in a van V scooter. The van does not stand a chance in London.
@anon93536262 Thanks for chasing this although I notice they didn’t respond to the question of if they would chase riders with no helmets. I have never heard of a stinger used on a bike, perhaps our SNT can let us know if I am incorrect.
The “Gang” were out in force Sunday afternoon on bikes, scooters and quads. No helmets, no plates and riding like idiots. I am sure someone will come along and say “we were all young once” and will hold that line until hit and they discover that the rider legs it, the bike is stolen and they have no chance of recompense.
we were all young once
Now, where is that dislike button? 
I phoned 101 yesterday for the first time - there was a group of four motorbikes riding dangerously up and down Stanstead Road (the bit that is one way only by the Coop). They would speed down the road and then come racing back either against the one way system or in the segregated bike lane. All this was taking place in broad daylight and making a lot of noise as well as being dangerous. They did this for about 4 hours, I gave a detailed description to the police of what they were wearing, the bikes, where they were and even that, after each little race, they were congregating at the rear of the estate. I was told a car would be sent out. But as far as I’m aware no one came out and nothing was done about it. These same individuals are regularly breaking the law and behaving anti-socially and the police seem to have little interest in doing anything about it. I’m very disappointed in the response.
I saw the same. Just becoming very blatant now.
The police were most likely at the cycle race.
I think the big problem for the police is at some stage people will have enough and vigilante action will take place. I remember being out with my children last halloween and a very large group of riders riding ridiculously (not on the pavement thankfully) but going through red lights at speed with lots of kids about ready to cross.
I don’t want 14\15 years old dying in crashes for stealing bikes etc, but at the same time what they do will get worse and worse. I’m not sure what the answer is as the big danger of course in chasing is the danger to others through these people’s careless driving.
As ever, the answer is not easy but the status quo cannot remain. The fact them can seemingly act with impunity is going to make things a lot worse.
Medium - long-term bike security will have to improve to make this a lot harder, short term a new police strategy is needed.
Oakr, I agree with everything you say, but “long-term bike security” isn’t really a viable option as you can’t really do much to make a motorcycle more secure beyond chaining it to the ground with an enormous chain which isn’t really an option for most.
I’m afraid policing is really the only option and strangling demand for stolen vehicles, but the police don’t seem to be interested in this unless there’s a smash and grab on a jewellery store that gets covered on BBC London. Anti-social riding (as evidenced by the above response from the Met above) is clearly not even on the list.
From experience in my street, I’d recommend everyone looks out for new scooters and motorbikes appearing in their roads - especially those without plates (bike covers may be used to conceal this).
If you spot a bike without plates, email the local police to let them know.
Bike thieves don’t stash stolen vehicles on their own property. They leave them outside your homes instead.
The police have a really tough job, regardless of funding or policy. Crims on two wheels are agile and hard to catch.
Hi Moto_Hodder
I’d say long-term it may be the only viable solution. I don’t what the answer is, but it should come from owners, security manufacturers, insurers, bike shops and motorbike makers or a combination of in conjunction with relevant authorities eg the police.
There is always a way, and eventually money will talk.
Al
Eventually an MP will have his bike nicked and then the full force of the law will come down on the little scrotes.
Are you suggesting one finds an MP with a cycle and…
