Met police moped tackle tactics leave criminals with broken bones

POLICE COMISSIONER Cressida Dick has revealed that at least two moped-riding thieves suffered broken bones after they were rammed by police cars during chases.

In a Channel 5 interview today, Dick revealed the consequences of the Met's tough new approach to moped gangs.

The new tactic was unveiled last week alongside dramatic footage of officers ramming fleeing thieves off their scooters in London. It has received praise and criticism in equal part, with members of the public and former police officers supporting the crackdown, while Labour’s shadow home secretary Diane Abbott spoke out against the tactic.

In the interview with Julian Druker today, Dick revealed that the tactic has been brought in because the Met has had to "put the fear back into the criminal", adding that the pursuit drivers are "supremely well trained" and the ramming method has resulted in only a "very small" number of injuries.

"[There is] at least one person who broke their arm and another who had some sort of break," she commented.

"My officers make life-and-death decisions every day of the week, they're very accountable. They make the best possible decisions. We are in a risk business."

"These are people who have been repeatedly left in no doubt whatsoever that there's a police car right behind them.

"If you look over your shoulder and drive on as fast as possible, putting the public in danger, you should expect we will come after you."

She also discussed Scotland Yard’s proposed tactic of deploying armed officers to patrol streets on foot when gang violence is imminent.

The tactic is reportedly being considered for use in "extreme circumstances" to support the force's largely unarmed officers.

Dick claimed there had been a "huge misunderstanding" around the proposal.

"I have no intention of causing armed officers to be routinely walking around the suburbs, except when it might be really necessary," she said.

"Rest assured I'm not going to ask firearm officers to do more unless there's a reason to do it. Huge misunderstanding."