A retired police officer has defended the Met's new tactic of ramming fleeing moped thugs saying those who commit crimes "choose the consequences."
Retired London police officer and author John Sutherland has spoken out after a backlash to the police’s new hardline war on moped gangs which was unveiled last week.
Last week, the Met released dramatic footage which showed police pursuing suspected moped criminals and ramming into them to stop drivers in their tracks.
The footage was widely praised by members of the public and former officers alike, but also attracted some criticism.
In response to the Met’s announcement, Minister for Policing and Fire Service, Nick Hurd MP said: “Met Police have done an excellent job getting on top of a very nasty spike in moped-enabled crime, often linked to violence – tactical contact by trained officers is a legitimate tool”.
Mr Sutherland has written a lengthy blog post on the subject, defending it.
He wrote: “There is an order to everything that happens in life. In each of the clips shown, a crime has been committed before the police ever get involved. The crime is the first thing. The police response is the second thing.
“If the crime hadn’t been committed, there would be no need for the police to act. If the rider hadn’t failed to stop, there would be no need for the police to intervene.
“It’s strange how easily we can forget these things sometimes.”
Mr Sutherland also claimed officers could be, at times, “Damned if you do and Damned if you don’t”.
He said suspected criminals who use mopeds to commit crimes face consequences for doing so, though.
He added: “If you choose to steal a moped, then you are choosing the consequences of doing so.
“If you choose to steal and snatch and mug and stab and harm, then you are choosing the consequences of doing so.
“If you choose to fail to stop for the police, you are choosing the consequences of doing so.”
Mr Sutherland’s blog post was widely shared with many praising the retired officer for writing about it.
Chief Inspector Jon Lloyd, of the East Midlands, shared the article and said: “Another pitch perfect post John”.
PC Phil Skedgell also wrote: “Excellent as ever, John. Thanks for continuing to support us so eloquently.”
