High-Speed Moped Chase Ends in Knife and Drugs Bust
Police on patrol in Bethnal Green sparked a dramatic moped chase on Wednesday, 9 September. Marked Operation Venice Scorpion riders spotted a silver Honda moped speeding through a red light and gave chase.
The rider hurtled recklessly — mounting pavements, darting down footpaths, riding the wrong way on one-way streets, and ignoring multiple red lights. He finally crashed in a park, ditching the moped and running on foot.
Officers caught him after a quick foot pursuit on Ropley Street, E2. The 30-year-old claimed he didn’t realise they were police. But checks showed the moped had false plates, was uninsured, and the rider had no license.
He was arrested on multiple charges, including dangerous driving, failing to stop, and aggravated taking and driving away. A police dog sniffed out a white plastic tub dropped nearby, filled with 26 wraps of white powder. The suspect now faces possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and remains in custody.
Teen Gang Nabbed with Meat Cleaver in Mile End
Later the same day, officers scrambled to Mile End Park after reports of a gang attack with a large knife.
As police closed in, one suspect was spotted carrying a massive meat cleaver. The group fled onto Bow Common Lane, but six teenage males matching the description were quickly stopped and searched.
One 26-year-old male, riding a white pedal bike, had a black drawstring bag linked to the bicycle. Officers found a large meat cleaver tucked into his waistband — plus a hefty kitchen knife inside the bag.
He was arrested for possession of offensive weapons and is in custody.
Met’s Operation Venice Cracks Down on Crime
“Our units are deployed across London every day to disrupt drug supply and remove weapons from unsafe hands by stopping criminals from using motorbikes, mopeds and scooters to commit crime.” – Sgt Tony McGovern, Operation Venice Command
