The Metropolitan Police has expanded its fleet of high-powered Sur-Ron e-bikes to 25 riders as part of its ongoing battle against phone snatchers in London's West End. The lightweight machines, capable of weaving through congested traffic at speeds up to 50mph, have been credited with reducing phone thefts by 13,000 last year.
New Unit Targets Moped Muggers
Moped muggers and thieves on e-bikes have often evaded capture by escaping through narrow alleyways or using shortcuts across housing estates. The Met hopes the increased unit size will leave criminals with nowhere to hide. The highly trained riders will patrol central London, focusing on criminals preying on tourists and commuters.
A police statement highlighted the bikes' advantages: 'The lightweight bikes enable officers to cut through traffic, navigate narrow streets, and even tackle staircases, allowing them to reach and catch criminals in places inaccessible to conventional police motorcycles and cars. They are a game changer in the fight against phone theft, enabling officers to pursue offenders quickly and intervene moments after a snatch offence.'
Seizures and Reinvestment
So far this year, officers have seized more than 2,500 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters, many of which were modified with high-powered batteries or were uninsured. Profits seized from criminals have been reinvested into policing, with the Home Office contributing to the cost of the new bikes.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Louise Puddefoot 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, access areas traditional vehicles cannot reach, respond faster to crime and arrest more suspects.'
Recent Successes and Broader Impact
In the last month alone, two suspects have been chased down by Sur-Ron bikes. In one incident, a suspect sped off into a council estate, where they were intercepted by an officer on an e-bike and found in possession of class A drugs.
Puddefoot added: 'Criminals are using high-powered, often illegally modified e-bikes to commit offences such as phone theft and robbery. By expanding this capability, we are ensuring our officers have the tools they need to disrupt criminality and keep Londoners safe. Londoners are already seeing the results of our relentless focus on tackling street crime, with neighbourhood crime down 14 per cent over the past year and 13,000 fewer phone thefts.'
Many illegal e-bikes confiscated by police have been modified to travel much faster, with some exceeding 70mph. These non-compliant machines are effectively electric mopeds or motorbikes, which must be registered, taxed, and insured. While major retailers sell thousands of legal e-bikes every year, many illegal machines are bought online, and kits adding an electronic motor to a conventional bike are available for under £300. Illegal e-bikes are also often used for legitimate journeys, such as food deliveries and commuting.
