The Mets new fleet of e-bikes will be a game-changer in the fight against mes crime and phone theft, Scotland Yard said.
The force has increased the number of electronic Sur-Ron vehicles from five to 25 in a bid to combat street crime.
The e-bikes can climb sidewalks, weave through alleys and go up and down stairs in pursuit of suspects trying to escape using mopeds, bicycles or on foot.
The Met said this would allow officers to ‘reach and capture criminals in places inaccessible to conventional police motorcycles and cars’, describing the expanded fleet as ‘a game changer in the fight against phone theft’.
Louise Puddefoot, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Frontline Policing, said: “Expanding our Sur-Ron fleet gives officers another powerful tool to stay one step ahead of criminals.
“These bikes allow officers to move quickly through busy streets, reach areas where traditional vehicles cannot reach, respond to crime faster and arrest more suspects.
‘Criminals use powerful, often illegally modified e-bikes to commit offenses such as telephone theft and theft.
“By expanding this capability, we are ensuring our officers have the tools they need to disrupt crime and protect Londoners.”
Police on a new e-bike chased a suspect through a residential area last week
The suspect, left, fled on foot and jumped a fence as police gave chase on two wheels
The suspect was arrested a short time later, well away from the main road
The new fleet of e-bikes for crime fighting
In another case last week, officers on e-bikes rode onto the sidewalk to continue the chase with a suspect
The suspect, who fled on foot, was later arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs
Images released by the Met today show examples of the new vehicles in action after they were rolled out in Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham.
In one case last week, an officer was able to pursue and ultimately arrest a person suspected of riding an illegal and uninsured e-bike while trying to flee the scene.
Days later, officers were able to arrest a suspect who had earlier fled through traffic into a residential area, with one officer climbing the sidewalk to keep pace with the alleged attacker.
The suspect was later found in possession of a significant amount of Class A drugs and had already been suspended from driving, US police said.
The latest police figures show that so-called neighborhood crime has fallen by 14 percent on the previous year, including a marked drop in thefts, personal robberies and vehicle offences.
Police Minister Sarah Jones said: ‘People should be able to enjoy all that London has to offer without fear of becoming a victim of crime.
‘By rolling out these new Sur-Ron bikes, officers can now reach incidents more quickly, tackle offenders more effectively and tackle crime in some of the busiest parts of the capital.’
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said the new fleet ‘sends a clear message that London will not tolerate criminal behaviour’.
He said: ‘These bikes have successfully helped the Met go after offenders who are increasingly using powerful, illegally modified e-bikes to commit crimes, and it’s great to be able to expand the fleet.’
