Theresa May backs police drivers who ram moped gangs off the road insisting it is ‘absolutely right’ officers provide a ‘robust response’
- PM said it was ‘absolutely right’ that officers provide a ‘robust response’
- She spoke out after Scotland Yard sparked controversy by showing footage of its Operation Venice units
- The Met said it showed that specially trained drivers will use ‘tactical contact’ to catch suspects
Theresa May has given her backing to police drivers who ram moped gangs off the road.
The Prime Minister said it was ‘absolutely right’ that officers provide a ‘robust response’ to thieves and muggers who are terrorising parts of London.
She spoke out after Scotland Yard sparked controversy by showing footage of its Operation Venice units deliberately driving into moped and motorbike riders during chases.
Asked about the row during her trip to Argentina, Mrs May said: ‘The people on these mopeds are acting unlawfully, they are committing crimes and I think it’s absolutely right that we see a robust police response to that.’
The Met said it showed that specially trained drivers will use ‘tactical contact’ to catch suspects, even if they take their helmets off.
But while the tough tactic was praised by the public and Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott called it ‘dangerous’.
Some of the suspects have suffered broken bones, while there are concerns that police drivers will be disciplined and even prosecuted if a chase ends in serious injury.
But asked about the row during her trip to Argentina, Mrs May said: ‘The people on these mopeds are acting unlawfully, they are committing crimes and I think it’s absolutely right that we see a robust police response to that.’