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Gareth Gilbert leads Metropolitan Police crackdown on e-bike and moped thieves in Westminster

The Metropolitan Police arrested 187 people and seized 157 vehicles during a crackdown on thieves using e-bikes and mopeds in Westminster. The operation, which ran from February to July, targeted offenders known to police or linked to previous incidents, resulting in arrests for drug-related crimes, robbery, theft, and possession of dangerous weapons. Detective Superintendent Gareth Gilbert led the operation, noting that the approach helped police stay ahead of criminals using high-powered bikes to steal from Londoners. During the operation, e-bike-related crime fell by 22% in key transport and tourist hubs such as Southwark, Lambeth, Waterloo, and London Bridge. To improve pursuit capabilities, the Metropolitan Police expanded its fleet of high-powered Sur-Ron e-bikes from five to 25. This expansion allowed officers to navigate busy streets and narrow alleys more effectively than motorcycles. Overall, neighborhood crime in London fell by 14% over the past year, while phone thefts decreased by 13,000. Additionally, the police have seized more than 2,500 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters so far this year.

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