Police in Chiswick seize 32 vehicles in blitz on vehicle crime

Focus on vehicle crime results in nine arrests for a variety of offences

Chiswick Police have been focusing their efforts on vehicle crime.

“It was a long and at times exhausting week”, writes Sgt Gareth O’Donnell in his regular update on policing in Chiswick, 20 October, but it resulted in 32 vehicles being seized.

“Highlights” included a male arrested with over £4k of cannabis who was charged with Possession with Intent to Supply, and a male who failed to stop on a moped with false number plates, who was pursued and detained after a chase.

He was charged and remanded for various offences including dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Police impounded 14 illegal E-bikes and 18 other vehicles including cars and mopeds, five of which were stolen. They made nine arrests, for various offences including traffic offences, immigration offences and violent offences.

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The Neighbourhood team, supported by police from other areas of LB Hounslow and Ealing, and specialist Traffic officers, targeted “known crime hotspots”. They also carried out 11 Stop and Searches, seized various drugs and reported more than 40 traffic offences.

Sgt Gareth O’Donnell says:

“Residents have expressed to us that they want to see more action in relation to illegal e-Bikes and this week has sent a clear message that they are not welcome in our areas.

“It was good to see the positive reaction from the public who appreciated our presence and actions”.

An ebike is illegal if it has a power output over 250 / does not display a plate with the manufacturer, power output and battery power / does not have functioning pedals and is powered by throttle only / power assistance that exceeds 15.5mph.

If any of the above are met then the bike is legally classed as a motorcycle/moped and requires all the same restrictions – licence, insurance, helmet, number plates etc.

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