Scotland Yard today unveiled new tactics in the battle against moped thugs rampaging across London, including deploying officers on scrambler motorbikes to chase down suspects.

Police are using the four specialist BMW scrambler bikes to go after moped riders who use alleyways and rat runs to evade more conventional pursuits.

Scotland Yard said it was using DNA sprays and mobile stinger devices to deflate tyres in the fightback against the moped gangs behind an epidemic of violence and crime.

Met Commissioner Cressida Dick announced the new tactics today, saying they were already making a difference with police recording a fall in the number of moped offences since July.

She also urged London’s communities to “mobilise” and “channel their outrage” against the moped thugs to make the streets safer.

She said: “I have been clear that tackling violence is my priority. I was angered by the apparent perception amongst some criminals that they could operate with near impunity, committing strings of offences using scooters.

“We have brought all our tactics and specialists together to use every ethical option to put a stop to the rise; arrest those responsible; disrupt offenders; dismantle the criminal markets that make these offences lucrative and change the public’s behaviour to make them a part of our effort.”

Police have already used the DNA spray at least four times in London with at least one arrest.

The substance is sprayed on suspects, who cannot be chased for safety reasons, and it can be picked up under UV light if they are later arrested. The spray can link suspects to moped crimes committed weeks earlier.

Police say the scrambler bikes will be ridden by highly trained motorcycle officers and will be involved more in setting up ambushes for moped thieves than chasing them through the streets.

One source said: “They will be able to get ahead of moped gangs and set up traps using the mobile stingers or the DNA spray. It gives us much greater flexibility and movement.”

The action comes as the Met has been battling a surge in the number of moped or scooter linked offences with around 16,000 thefts involving mopeds each year.

Victims have included Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, while Daniel Radcliffe, the Harry Potter actor, helped a tourist whose face was slashed by muggers stealing his bag.

Last month charity worker Abdul Samad, 28, was stabbed to death after two moped muggers snatched his iPhone outside his front door in Paddington.

Today the Met said the latest statistics showed a 25 per cent reduction in the number of powered two wheel bikes stolen in the last six months to the end of September.

There was also a 24 per cent fall in the number of moped related crimes over the same period and rising arrest rates and convictions of prolific offenders.

The Met revealed it was using tactics successfully deployed by the Trident gangs team to respond to scooter offences, targeting moped thugs for other offences if possible.

Officers are also manning a 24/7 police control room to watch for scooter offences anywhere in London and co-ordinate an immediate response to tackle them.

Ms Dick said: “We know that our criminal cohort committing crime on scooters also carry knives, have links to networks who handle stolen property and who deal drugs. So if you are a persistent phone thief – using a scooter to commit your crimes – and we can prove your involvement in other offences, such as drug dealing, you will be arrested.

“This is where the public can help us. I want to mobilise communities, to channel their outrage as part of a joint effort to make our streets safer. Look after your belongings, follow our security advice and tell us about the people who are responsible for crime in your communities and help us tackle them.”