Officers from Bow West Safer Neighbourhoods team are urging Tower Hamlets residents to increase their security measures following a recent rise in moped thefts. As other motor vehicles have become more secure, there has been a significant rise in criminals turning to powered two wheelers (PTW) for use in committing crime.
Officers from Tower Hamlets regularly conduct patrols and speak with riders to offer them crime prevention advice. Stolen mopeds have recently been recovered by officers in Olga Street, Rosebank Gardens, Ford Street, Kenilworth Road and St Stephens Road, E3. The mopeds are currently being forensically examined. PTW owners are advised to take the following precautions. •Secure your moped to something solid that can’t be moved. •Keep the lock off the ground. This makes it harder to break. •Always put the steering lock on. •Security marking every large removable part may help recover your vehicle if stolen. •Don’t leave your helmet or other possessions on the moped. •Fit and secure a cover to your vehicle as this will often deter thieves. •Keep your keys safe and out of sight at all times. •Fit an alarm or immobilizer. •Where possible, lock your bike in a secure building when not in use.
Sergeant Michael Redmond, from Bow West Safer Neighbourhoods team, said: “Theft of mopeds continues to be reported to local police, as does the use [of mopeds] in anti-social behaviour and dangerous riding. We will continue to deal with these incidents and we have a number of tactics available to disrupt this activity. We are keen to hear from residents who may have seen people acting suspiciously around motorcycles or mopeds.”
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•••••Tower Hamlets officers have recovered a haul of potentially lethal weapons. On Monday, 8th June officers from Bow West Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) carried out a drugs and weapons sweep in the Hawthorne Avenue, E3 area. The search was carried out in response to local residents’ concerns around anti-social behaviour issues and gang crime. During the search of a park area and children’s playground, officers seized three large knives, a broken baseball bat, various bike parts adapted as weapons and a heavy padlock on a chain.
All weapons seized will be forensically tested to assist in identifying offenders. PC Lee Stevens, from Bow West SNT, said: “It is well known that some criminals don’t want to be caught in possession of weapons so will hide them in a public place until they are needed. This creates an obvious risk to the public, especially children, who may find the weapons by mistake. I want to reassure the local residents and community that we will continue to work with them to tackle violent crime. If we receive any information about drugs or weapons we will continue to take the appropriate action.”
•If you have information or concerns about crime in your area please contact your Safer Neighbourhoods Team or contact police on 101, alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. For more information go to www.met.police.uk or contact your Local Policing Team.