London Police Deploy 25 E-Bikes in New Push Against Street Crime

LONDON — London’s Metropolitan Police has expanded its specialist e-bike fleet to 25 as part of a wider campaign against mobile phone theft and other street crimes.

The force previously operated five of the specialist bikes but has now increased the fleet fivefold.  

Police say the machines give officers a significant advantage when responding to crimes involving suspects travelling on bicycles and mopeds.

The bikes can reach speeds of up to 50 mph and can travel through traffic, narrow streets and off-road locations.

They can also negotiate stairs, allowing officers to pursue suspects into areas that would be difficult to reach using conventional police vehicles.

The Metropolitan Police says the bikes have become particularly valuable in tackling phone theft.

The force reported that phone theft has fallen by more than 13,000 offences across London over the last year.  

Reuters reported that recorded offences declined from about 68,000 to 54,000 in the year ending in May.

Police are also using drones to support their operations.

The technology provides officers with additional surveillance capabilities and can help them locate suspects following street offences.

Yet the Metropolitan Police still faces a challenge in converting arrests and investigations into successful criminal outcomes. Reuters reported that the positive-outcome rate remains below 1%.

Kaya Comer-Schwartz, London’s deputy mayor for policing and crime, said the response to phone theft must extend beyond policing and include improvements to the criminal justice system and support for victims.

The Metropolitan Police says the expansion of the e-bike fleet is part of its broader effort to adapt policing methods to the changing tactics of street criminals.