Brazen moped thieves flee empty-handed as locals in tower block pelt them with crockery

This is the dramatic moment a pair of moped thieves are forced to flee a London estate empty-handed after furious residents spotted them stealing a bike and hurled missiles down at them from a high-rise tower block.

The brazen crooks were pelted with crockery, ornaments and bottles as one of them used bolt cutters and an angle grinder to break the locks off a scooter parked outside the flats.

A vase was then launched at the man, smashing as it landed on his back before members of the public chased the pair off the estate in Thamesmead, south-east London.

The duo are seen approaching a moped along the estate in Thamesmead, south-east London. As one of the thieves attempts to remove the bike locals hurl missiles down at him

Police were called to the scene in Tavy Bridge at 9.30pm on Thursday but the thieves had already escaped. The owner retrieved his bike but was reportedly unable to ride it because of damage done to the steering.

Footage captured by a resident in a nearby flat shows one of the thieves stripping a tarpaulin off the moped as a man in the block above screams: ‘Oi, you’re not getting that bike.’

The thief looks up in shock as bottles, crocks and water are lobbed down at him and he puts his hood up for protection.

At one point the woman filming the action ducks for cover and says: ‘I’m so glad my car’s not down there.’

Suddenly, a vase lands on the yob’s back from a great height and shatters on impact – making him scream in pain.

Looking up, he shouts: ‘What the f***?’ But residents just laugh at him and call him a ‘mug’.

Undeterred, he continues to work away at the lock until it breaks and he starts wheeling the scooter away.

Eventually one of the thieves begins to get away with a moped, but quickly has to abandon it as locals chase him down. Locals have praised residents for fighting back against the bike thieves on social media

Just as he thinks he is out of danger, two men appear and chase after him on foot – forcing the thief to panic and drop the bike before fleeing with his accomplice on a moped.

Locals praised residents for fighting back against the bike thieves on social media.

James Tadaow wrote: ‘Whoever got him with the vase got him nicely on the back. I was walking my dog when it was all going off, sounded like a mini riot. Good to see the community come together.’

Sharon More said: ‘Owner came down, steering on the bike had been b*******. He is a driver for Deliveroo so wasn’t able to go to work but was very grateful that everybody rallied round for him. Great community spirit shown, well done to all.’ 

Chloe Lewis added: ‘Hope he can get it sorted. Makes me sick, people just don’t give a s*** how it affects other people’s lives.’

Eventually the thieves motor into the distance, as locals chase them from behind. Police attended the location but the suspects had made off prior to their arrival

A Met Police spokesman said: ‘Police were called at around 9.30pm on January 3 to a report of two men acting suspiciously near to parked motorcycles in Tavy Bridge, SE2. 

‘It was also reported that members of the public had intervened to prevent the theft of a motorcycle. 

‘Officers attended the location but the suspects had made off prior to the arrival of police. There was no report of anything stolen, nor of any injury. 

‘Officers from the South East Command Unit are investigating. There has been no arrest at this stage.’ 

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number CAD 6618/03jan.

Or, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.