This is the moment two plain-clothed police officers on scrambler bikes catch up with three moped riders and force them to stop on a busy roundabout.
In the clip, recorded on a dashcam from a car behind, two moped riders are seen waiting at a red light on Greengate Roundabout in Manchester.
As the light turns green, the two bikers begin to drive off before a scrambler bike rides across two lanes, crossing both of their paths.
In the clip, filmed at the Greengate Roundabout in Manchester, two motorcyclists can be seen waiting at the traffic lights
They start to drive off before a police officer on a scrambler bike crosses two lanes to cut in front of them and block their path
The cyclist on the right’s bike rears upwards before the rider runs off across the roundabout.
Unfortunately for the other two bikers, another police officer on a scrambler arrives and holds them in place before they can make a dash for it.
A uniformed officer on another bike arrives and begins to indicate to the biker on the roundabout to come back before eventually getting back on his bike and chasing after him.
It is unclear if the motorcyclists were moped thieves or simply being stopped by police for dangerous driving, but many have praised the actions of police and have suggested similar tactics be used to tackle London’s growing moped crime problem.
Paul Forrest wrote: ‘Get in! Maybe they can use this tactic in London against the robbers on scooters. Knock ’em over. YES.’
Douglas Dickson said: ‘Awesome, love it – we need more of that in London. Can’t remember the last time I see a policeman on a bike locally!’
The second cyclist’s bike rears into the air and he jumps off before running on to the roundabout, but luckily another police officer is there to keep the other two in place
A uniformed police officer arrives and tells the biker to come back before getting back on his bike and chasing him
Tomas Mochalski added: ‘That’s what I call well spent tax payers money!’
There are no official figures for the number of moped crimes taking place in Greater Manchester, but Chief Inspector Tariq Butt, who heads up GMP’s Road Policing Unit, it is a ‘big concern’ for the police in the area.
In February this year GMP released CCTV footage of thieves after a spate of phone thefts in Salford and around Victoria Station and the Manchester Arena.
The thefts took place during peak commuting hours in February, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Greater Manchester Police launched a specialist policing team in July last year to tackle the increasing issue of moped crime.
The Safer Roads Targeting Team has seven off-road bikes and is based in Eccles but covers all of Greater Manchester.
Figures from last month revealed that London police have dealt with an average of 430 crimes using mopeds per week in the past year.
The Metropolitan Police figures showed that crimes committed using mopeds, scooters and motorcycles soared by 50 per cent in the year to May, to 22,025.
It comes as an ex-gang member revealed how moped thieves are making up to £2,000 a day in London and are becoming ‘addicted’ to the thrill of mugging people.
The former gang member, now 25, told The Telegraph the situation was ‘out of control’, claiming that moped crimes have become more organised and daring.
He said: ‘There’s still that buzz behind thieving. You just think why do nine hours of work when I can get a moped and earn three times the money?’
A map shows how certain gangs control areas of London before looking further afield
The former moped thief said he made up to £2,000 ‘on a good day’, adding that children as young as 12 are being paid £50 to steal scooters and see the crime as ‘easy money’.
He added that families on the estate where he grew up would turn a blind eye if their relative brought in unexplained money from their moped crimes.
Earlier this month, Michael McIntyre 42, had his £15,000 Rolex torn from his wrist by moped thieves in London.
The comedian, 42, who is worth £38million, was waiting outside a school in north London when a gang of masked moped riders armed with hammers smashed the driver’s window of his £120,000 Range Rover.
Following the recent spike in moped crimes, MPs have claimed London is like the Wild West because gangs appear fearless about being caught.
At the time GMP launched their scrambler bike unit, Chief Inspector Butt, said: ‘Off-road bikes being driven illegally are a big concern for us and also for the people of Greater Manchester.
‘This new team will help us tackle the issue as effectively as we possibly can, but the toolkit we’ve put together will also enable people to help us do this – we can all take responsibility for our communities and letting the appropriate authorities know what’s happening in them.
‘We need people to be active in looking after themselves and their neighbours and this toolkit gives people the information that they need to do this when it comes to off-road bikes.’
Detective Superintendent Lee Hill, Metropolitan Police Service, said: ‘Police are using a range of tactics to make the streets hostile territory for criminals who use scooters, mopeds, motorbikes and bicycles to commit offences such as theft and robbery.
‘Our latest tactics include the introduction of new light-weight BMW motorcycles, which were introduced in October last year.
‘They have been specially designed and built for our policing needs. They are incredibly versatile and agile and their detachable panniers means the motorcycles can be slim enough to get through the narrowest of streets and alleys.’
North London street is Britain’s worst road for moped gang robberies
A street in north London is Britain’s worst road for moped robberies, with 111 crimes – yet only one arrest, shocking figures reportedly reveal.
Drivers who appear to be as young as 15 are riding around Holloway Road in broad daylight stealing accessories, phones and even dogs, locals claim.
However one source suggests the crime spree will die down for a period in the summer, saying: ‘They usually ramp up activity so they can get money to spend in Ibiza.’
Drivers who appear to be as young as 15 are riding around Holloway Road in broad daylight stealing accessories, phones and even dogs, locals claim
College worker Theresa, who like many others was too fearful to give a full name, told how her daughter was robbed outside Archway Tube station at 5pm earlier this week as a moped flew past and snatched her phone.
The very same day Salon worker Christine witnessed an attempted robbery with riders mounting the pavement and attempting to take a girl’s phone.
She explained how it wasn’t only phones being stolen but also high-value dogs.
‘It’s scary. They ride along, snip their leads and snatch them.’
Another victim, Gerardo, said: ‘Two guys on a moped rode up behind me on a pavement to take my phone last month. I’ve seen four or five thefts in two months,’ revealed the Sun.
Jeremy Corbyn’s son Tommy, 24, was targeted in the area in April last year when his mobile was snatched.
Owner of a nearby restaurant, Anthony Clarkson, 36, witnessed a raid in the area in which an apparent school-age thief, ‘about 15’, tried to swipe a woman’s phone.