Home secretary says approach is ‘exactly what we need’ after Labour raises concerns

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The home secretary has backed police over their new tactic of stopping moped-riding criminals by deliberately colliding with them.

Sajid Javid, who revealed in June that his phone was taken in a moped mugging, wrote on Twitter: “Risk-assessed tactical contact is exactly what we need. Criminals are not above the law.”

The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, had earlier raised concerns about the approach.

Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) Knocking people off bikes is potentially very dangerous. It shouldn't be legal for anyone. Police are not above the law https://t.co/boptGhJYbB

A Labour spokesman said: “Major operational changes by the police that affect public and police officer safety need to have clear oversight and follow due process, especially where there is a potential impact for legal ramifications.”

Last week the Metropolitan police released footage showing police vehicles knocking suspects off their mopeds.

It said its specially trained drivers could use the tactic to reduce the need for pursuits and prevent injury occurring to offenders and members of the public.

Force chiefs said there were no rules on the maximum speed at which police cars could hit mopeds, and it was a common misconception among moped thieves that officers would end their pursuit of suspects who drove dangerously or removed their helmet.

The disclosures prompted questions over protection for police if a suspect was seriously injured in a stop.

There were 12,419 moped offences recorded across the capital from January to October, down 36% compared with the equivalent period of 2017.