The moped crime wave in London and how redeployable CCTV cameras could help

Moped crime was one of the big stories in London throughout the 2010s, with incidences soaring by 600% between 2014 and 2016, and criminals using the bikes to commit offences such as snatch-and-grab thefts, acid attacks and muggings.

The number of moped crimes recorded by the Metropolitan Police fell by 19% in 2017, but this is still almost double the number of offences committed in 2015, and offences have remained a persistent problem throughout the capital in the years since. So, what has caused this spike in moped-related crime?

One reason for the prevalence of moped crime is that mopeds are relatively easy to steal (most moped-based criminals do not own the vehicles used in the crime). They are also small and manoeuvrable, making them problematic for police to chase. Moped crimes are also often difficult to resolve, as many criminals now wear helmets and other protective clothing to avoid being identified on CCTV footage.

How redeployable CCTV cameras helps combat moped crime in London

Redeployable CCTV cameras are a type of portable surveillance camera that can be quickly and easily moved from one location to another. They are often used by police forces and security companies to provide short-term coverage at events or in hot spot areas where crime is known to occur. Redeployable CCTV cameras actively help reduce moped crime in London by providing extra security in high-risk areas, or following a spate of offences in an area that doesn’t have a permanent CCTV infrastructure. 

These cameras can be quickly installed and relocated to different areas as needed, making them an effective tool for deterring and catching mobile criminals who regularly shift their areas of operation to avoid being caught.

Redeployable cameras can also be used on a more permanent basis, as is the case with the Met Police’s Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Office (SCCO) project in Haringey, which has seen 100 redeployable cameras installed across the borough.

The appeal of rapid deployment CCTV cameras for police authorities, local councils, and businesses is that they can be quickly moved to wherever they are needed most. This makes them an ideal solution for combating moped crime, which often occurs in hot spots that change on a daily basis. Redeployable cameras also have the added benefit of being less noticeable than traditional fixed cameras, meaning that criminals are less likely to spot them and thus more likely to be caught on camera with their guard down and faces exposed.

The Met Police’s use of redeployable cameras

The Met Police have been using redeployable CCTV cameras as part of their fight against moped crime and robberies since 2017. The force has deployed over 500 cameras at high-risk locations across Central and Greater London, including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Wandsworth. 

The Met Police claim that their use of redeployable CCTV cameras has contributed to the significant reduction in moped-enabled crime in the areas where they have been deployed since 2017 – something that is hard to argue against. For example, in Westminster there was a 50% reduction in such crimes between July and September 2017 compared with the same period in 2016. In Camden, there was a 45% reduction over the same period. 

Moped crime is still a problem in parts of London, but redeployable CCTV cameras have proved effective in controlling and reducing occurrences by closing off the blind areas without permanent camera coverage that enabled criminals to operate with impunity. 

Security equipment from IC2 Distribution

IC2 Distribution produce a range of advanced redeployable CCTV equipment suitable for homes, businesses, and public organisations. For more information about our security solutions and how they can help reduce the risk of crime on your premises, please call +44 20 3747 1800 today.

Image Source: Canva

Written by Paul Carter on December 14, 2022 10:00 am