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Met swoop on bike raid suspects
Justin Davenport20.05.09
This was the scene after undercover police swooped on two men suspected of being members of a notorious smash and grab motorcycle gang.
The men — both in their late teens — were arrested in Islington after a police pursuit last night. They had abandoned a suspected stolen motorbike, a 675cc Triumph, and were detained by officers after a short chase in Roseberry Avenue. Police were in the area investigating reports of a raid on a store.
The men were being questioned at a police station today in connection with the theft of a motorcycle.
Smash and grab raiders have struck dozens of times in recent months stealing millions of pounds worth of goods from stores across London. In recent weeks they have struck at Harvey Nichols, a Dinny Hall jewellery store and a branch of designer Anya Hindmarch.
Police have put on extra patrols in an attempt to catch the gangs in the act. Around 50 people, many of them teenagers, are involved in the loose-knit gangs who use high-powered mopeds or motorbikes to stage lightning raids on stores.
The suspects are difficult to identify because they wear motorcycle helmets and police are reluctant to mount highspeed chases through London's streets.
A Yard spokesman said: “Officers were travelling in an unmarked vehicle and indicated for the motorcycle to stop. When it did so the two men ran off and were apprehended by police after a short pursuit.”
