London police deploy electric motorcycles to combat phone theft

The Metropolitan Police in London is expanding its fleet of electric motorcycles to combat phone thieves who use modified, high-speed electric bikes to evade capture. The police force is increasing its number of Sur-Ron electric motorcycles from five to 25, utilizing their agility and silence to navigate narrow passages and congested streets where traditional patrol cars cannot follow.

In tandem with this tactical shift, London police are cracking down on illegal electric bicycles and scooters. Since July 2023, a specialized cycling unit has seized over 800 non-compliant vehicles. Sergeant Stu Ford noted a massive increase in the use of modified e-bikes that feature throttles instead of pedals and exceed the legal speed limit of 15.5 mph.

Under UK law, non-compliant electric cycles are treated as uninsured vehicles. Once seized, these vehicles are impounded and scheduled for destruction after 15 days. Authorities noted that many users are gig economy workers, such as food delivery riders, seeking to increase efficiency, but emphasized that these illegal modifications pose significant safety risks to the public.