MOPED GANGS are impersonating undercover police officers in the latest of the capital's two-wheel crime spree.
The MET police has warned motorists after a taxi was stopped at 1:40am on Friday by two riders pretending to be undercover traffic officers.
The pair had fitted flashing blue lights to their helmets, which they switched on to stop the taxi as it drove along Chelsea Embankment.
The black-clad, masked bikers told the American occupants that the vehicle had run a red light. However, when the 'officers' refused to identify themselves the tourists became suspicious and called 999, at which point the riders fled.
An email from the police warned local residents: “Worrying report today where a taxi was made to stop by suspects on a moped and motorcycle… Suspects stated that they were undercover police.
“Luckily the taxi and passengers were able to get away unscathed … however it’s an intimidating situation to be in. I would like to reassure all that police would not use mopeds to stop a moving vehicle.”
This worrying new tactic comes just weeks after it was revealed that moped-enabled crimes in London had soared from 827 in 2012 to more than 23,000 in 2017.
