Police have introduced new technology including scrambler bikes and handheld stinger devices to try and tackle moped crime in the borough.

Romford Recorder: Metropolitan Police officers demonstrate a new device aimed at combating moped enabled crimes, following a briefing at New Scotland Yard in London.Metropolitan Police officers demonstrate a new device aimed at combating moped enabled crimes, following a briefing at New Scotland Yard in London. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Last summer Havering saw a number of moped related crime incidents including four school children who were robbed outside of a KFC in Rainham and an 18-year-old woman who was ploughed into after a youth driven moped had attemped to rob her.

However figures from police showed that between January - October last year only 99 incidents involving mopeds were reported in Havering.

Romford Recorder: Reporter Hayley Anderson joined the police for Operation Venice, last summer targeting moped crime in Havering, Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham. Picture: Hayley AndersonReporter Hayley Anderson joined the police for Operation Venice, last summer targeting moped crime in Havering, Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham. Picture: Hayley Anderson (Image: Hayley Anderson)

Following this police launched Operation Venice - specifically targeting moped related crime in the borough.

Tri-borough commander Jason Gwillim has now spoken to The Recorder about other measures that have been put in place to tackle moped crime.

He said that since October last year scrambler bikes ridden by highly trained motorcycle officers have been in use, along with handheld stingers and a special spray that identifies stolen mopeds and drivers that are on the run from police.

The new spray is a progressive step taken by police according to the chief superintendent, who said that it is similar to the dye that can be found in clothing security tags.

He said this shows how the force has looked at ways they can adapt current security measures to be used in relation to other crimes.

This dye will be carried by officers and can be sprayed on a suspect during a pursuit to identify them to other members of the public.

Handheld stingers are also carried by officers, and allow them to deflate the tyres of suspects.

Commander Gwillim insisted that although all of this technology is available “the last thing we want is any of these to lead to people being killed” and said safety precautions will be taken by officers when in pursuit of a suspect.

He said: “I must stress that although these have been brought in, moped crime is not a big problem for the three boroughs.

“I don’t expect to see another rise in moped crime over the summer, and if we do then we have a lot of measures in place to deal with it.”