Moped muggers were forced off the road following a high speed five mile chase across central London in front of shocked lunchtime shoppers.
The drama saw two ‘black-clad men’ speed across London Bridge as they desperately tried to dodge police.
A member of the public called police just after 12 noon today (FRI) after two people on a moped tried to rob someone in Hackney, east London.
The rider and his accomplice sped towards Bethnal Green, tailed by patrol cars – while a police helicopter watched from above.
When the men arrived in Southwark, south London, police rolled out a spiked ‘stinger’ device which burst the wheels of the moped.
During the chase, a driver had his van damaged when the moped sped through the side streets of the capital.
After hitting the van, the two men came off the moped – before police swooped on the pair and arrested them.
Officers arrested the men in Denmark Hill and took them away in separate police cars before closing the road off.
The van driver said: “I’m p****d off, it’s going to cost me – police told me they have been chasing these blokes all over the town.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Two males have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob following a lengthy moped pursuit through east and south London.
“Officers began an authorised pursuit of the males in Bethnal Green at 12.48pm, while colleagues from the National Police Air Service provided support.
“The suspect vehicle was driven at speed through east London; the males made their way from Bethnal Green, onto East India Dock Road, then to Tower Hill, where they crossed over Tower Bridge.”
During the chase, police used a liquid solution to forensically tag the duo so they could be linked to the incident.
The spokesman added: “Following a minor collision with a van, the males came off their vehicle and attempted to make off on foot, they were pursued and arrested by police.”
The men were taken to a south London police station on conspiracy to rob and driving offences.
Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Head of the Met’s Community Engagement, added: “We are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who use scooters, mopeds and motorbikes for theft and robbery offences.
“Thanks to the professionalism of our officers, and the support of our colleagues in the National Police Air Service, we have safely arrested two people for a number of offences.
“This incident shows the Met’s determination to stop offenders who think they can use vehicles to commit crimes with impunity.“
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