Westminster E-bike Operation Leads to 187 Arrests

An intensive police operation in Westminster aimed at prolific thieves who use e-bikes and mopeds to steal from victims and evade capture has led to 187 arrests and 157 vehicles being seized. The operation, which ran from February to July, involved both plain-clothed and uniformed officers patrolling known hotspot areas.

Specialist officers were deployed to respond immediately to thefts. These officers used tracking data from stolen phones to follow suspects and pursue them through busy and pedestrianised areas. The arrests made during the operation included charges for possession of dangerous weapons, drug-related offences, robbery, and theft.

Crime Reduction and Fleet Expansion

In specific areas such as Lambeth and Southwark, and at major transport hubs like Waterloo and London Bridge, e-bike related crime saw a 22 per cent reduction during the operation. Detective Superintendent Gareth Gilbert, who led the operation, stated that these targeted efforts are keeping the police a step ahead of criminals using high-powered bikes. He added that disrupting this type of criminality and making hundreds of arrests contributes to making London a safer place.

The Metropolitan Police has also expanded its fleet of high-powered Sur-Ron e-bikes from five to 25. This expansion is intended to give officers enhanced capabilities to pursue offenders who use illegal bikes to escape police.

Beyond this specific operation, broader crime statistics show positive trends. As part of a wider response to personal theft and robbery across London, the theft of personal items and mobile phones decreased by 15.6 per cent in 2026. Robbery incidents also saw a reduction, falling by 12.8 per cent.

Notable Arrests

Among the arrests was a 17-year-old boy, stopped by officers while riding a moped linked to a phone theft. Following a brief pursuit, he was detained and found to be in possession of a knife. He was charged with driving offences and possession of an offensive weapon and bailed to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court.

In another incident, a 22-year-old man wanted for robbery offences was riding an illegal e-bike. He accelerated towards police and struck an officer with his bike before being detained. Officers discovered multiple stolen mobile phones wrapped in tin foil, an attempt to disable tracking signals. He was charged with robbery and assaulting an emergency worker and remanded in custody.

Officers in Soho approached a 23-year-old man who fled, allegedly dropping a knife. He was detained and arrested for possession of an offensive weapon, then bailed.