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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Police rules on moped chases 'create highwaymen' | Police rules on moped chases 'create highwaymen' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Police in London are too afraid to pursue suspected criminals on mopeds without helmets, according to a union. | Police in London are too afraid to pursue suspected criminals on mopeds without helmets, according to a union. |
| Ken Marsh, Chair of the Met Police Federation, said officers are not protected against repercussions if they put anyone in danger. | Ken Marsh, Chair of the Met Police Federation, said officers are not protected against repercussions if they put anyone in danger. |
| But the Met Police said officers "can and will" carry out pursuits if they assess that it is safe to do so. | But the Met Police said officers "can and will" carry out pursuits if they assess that it is safe to do so. |
| A former policeman said current rules are leading to the return of "highwaymen" in the capital. | |
| Mark Wilsmore, who now owns a bikers cafe in north London, said: "We're going back to the 18th Century. | Mark Wilsmore, who now owns a bikers cafe in north London, said: "We're going back to the 18th Century. |
| "We've got roving bands of thieving nasty people who have no concern about any enforcement." | "We've got roving bands of thieving nasty people who have no concern about any enforcement." |
| Mr Marsh said currently officers could be held responsible if an alleged criminal dies or is injured during a pursuit. | Mr Marsh said currently officers could be held responsible if an alleged criminal dies or is injured during a pursuit. |
| "We want to do everything we can to catch the perpetrators on mopeds" he said. | "We want to do everything we can to catch the perpetrators on mopeds" he said. |
| "But we want to do that in a safe manner and knowing that when we do it, should something happen, we have the full support and protection from the government and public." | "But we want to do that in a safe manner and knowing that when we do it, should something happen, we have the full support and protection from the government and public." |
| 'Ensure safety' | 'Ensure safety' |
| On Monday, a 16-year-old died after the moped he was on collided with a police car. | On Monday, a 16-year-old died after the moped he was on collided with a police car. |
| The teenager was travelling with two others on the vehicle as he was pursued by police in a car and helicopter in Wimbledon. | The teenager was travelling with two others on the vehicle as he was pursued by police in a car and helicopter in Wimbledon. |
| The police watchdog is investigating. | The police watchdog is investigating. |
| A 15-year-old he was travelling with has been arrested. He remains in custody at a south London police station. | A 15-year-old he was travelling with has been arrested. He remains in custody at a south London police station. |
| In a statement, the force said it would "undertake pursuits in any situation where it is necessary to do so". | In a statement, the force said it would "undertake pursuits in any situation where it is necessary to do so". |
| "However, we must first ensure the safety of our officers, the public and the suspect when bringing offenders to justice." | "However, we must first ensure the safety of our officers, the public and the suspect when bringing offenders to justice." |