politics
Met Police expands electric bike fleet to tackle phone snatchers as Sadiq Khan praises rollout
WATCH: Chris Philp speaks to GB News about the Tories' plan to tackle phone and bike theft
TL;DR
- Metropolitan Police has increased its electric bike fleet from 5 to 25 to fight crime.
- The new e-bikes are described as a "game changer" in tackling phone theft.
- Police use of e-bikes has reportedly reduced phone theft by over 13,000 offenses in the past year.
- Over 2,500 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized by the Met this year.
- The new fleet is funded by profits from crime and backed by the Home Office.
- London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan stated the fleet sends a "clear message" to criminals.
- E-bikes will operate in Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham.
- Neighbourhood offenses have fallen by 14% in the year to July.
- Minister for Policing and Crime, Sarah Jones, praised the rollout for enhancing response effectiveness.